Presidential and Legislative Elections
Liberia
Liberia’s politics are structured under a presidential republic framework, with President Joseph Boakai, who took office in 2024, serving as the head of state and government. The political landscape is characterized by a presidential system with broad executive powers granted by the 1986 Constitution, including appointing cabinet members, judges, and military officers with the Senate’s consent, and serving as commander-in-chief of the armed forces.
5.613M+
Population
100:99
Men-Women Ratio
3.9%
Women Representation
Overview
Liberia operates as a democratic republic with a robust presidential system enshrined in its 1986 Constitution. The political structure is characterized by a clear separation of powers among the executive, legislative, and judiciary branches, fostering checks and balances vital for democratic governance. The President, elected by universal suffrage for a six-year term and eligible for re-election, serves as both head of state and government, providing strong executive leadership. The legislative branch is bicameral, comprising the Senate and House of Representatives, whose members are chosen through direct elections, ensuring representation across the nation’s diverse constituencies. Electoral integrity is overseen by the National Elections Commission (NEC), which strives to uphold transparency, fairness, and credibility in all electoral processes. Despite Liberia’s progress in strengthening its democratic institutions, the country continues to face significant challenges, including political volatility, ethnic divisions, and resource constraints. Nevertheless, Liberia remains committed to consolidating democratic governance, enhancing electoral integrity, and fostering political stability to support sustainable development and national unity.
Upcoming Elections
October 9, 2029
President Election
Scheduled
Learn more
Participation Metrics
Liberia Election Participation Metrics (2023).
1. Voter Turnout:
In the 2017 presidential election, voter turnout was approximately 74% of registered voters.
The 2023 elections saw an estimated turnout of around 68-70%, reflecting typical fluctuations due to political and logistical factors.
2. Gender Statistics:
Women comprise about 50-55% of registered voters, aligning with Liberia’s efforts to promote gender inclusivity.
Female candidate participation has increased, but women occupy less than 20% of legislative seats.
Gender parity initiatives continue to promote greater female political engagement.
3. Youth Participation:
Liberia’s youth (under 35) represent a significant demographic but often have lower voting rates, estimated at 40-50% of eligible youth voters in recent elections.Youth engagement initiatives, including voter education campaigns, aim to improve participation, but challenges remain due to limited political awareness and engagement.
Key Electoral Institutions
Political parties and the National Assembly
Political parties and the National Assembly are crucial to the functioning of Mauritania’s electoral system, even though they are not direct management bodies. Political parties mobilize citizens, nominate candidates, and monitor elections through agents and observers. The National Assembly contributes by debating and enacting electoral laws, shaping the legal framework within which CENI and other institutions operate. Together, they provide democratic oversight and ensure political pluralism in the electoral environment.
Contact Information
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Constitutional Council
They serve as the highest judicial authority on electoral and constitutional matters in Mauritania. It validates and proclaims final election results, particularly for presidential and parliamentary elections, and confirms the eligibility of presidential candidates. The Council also adjudicates electoral disputes, ensuring that elections comply with the constitution and legal framework. Its rulings are final and binding, giving it a central role in safeguarding the integrity and legitimacy of electoral outcomes.
Contact Information
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Independent National Electoral Commission (CENI)
This is Mauritania’s principal body responsible for organizing and supervising all elections, including presidential, parliamentary, regional, and municipal polls. It operates as an autonomous institution mandated to ensure transparency, neutrality, and fairness in the electoral process. CENI oversees voter registration, monitors campaign conduct, manages the logistics of voting and counting, and announces provisional results. Its members are appointed through political consensus, typically representing both ruling and opposition parties, to reinforce public confidence and political balance.
Contact Information
- Headquarters: Commission Électorale Nationale Indépendante (CENI) of Mauritania
- Mailing Address: B.P. 4550, Nouakchott, Mauritania
- Hotline: +222 45 24 15 40
- Email: ceni@ceni.mr
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Direction Générale des Élections (DGE)
The DGE is the main new electoral management body in Guinea, created by decree in 2025. It is responsible for organising elections (both elections and referendums), maintaining and managing the electoral register, and guaranteeing aspects of electoral fairness. The DGE also represents Guinea in regional and international electoral organisations.
Contact Information
- Headquarters: Direction Générale des Élections (DGE)
- Mailing Address: Based in Conakry, Commune de Dixinn
- Hotline: +224 628 00 00 00
- Email: contact@dge.gov.gn
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Judiciary (Election Petitions)
The High Court of The Gambia hears election petitions. (Election Petition Rules 1976 govern the process.)
Contact Information
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Accredited Election Monitoring Organizations
Recent Election Publication
News & Updates
Election Result Platform
How To Monitor Elections In
Liberia
Purpose
Promote transparent, credible, and peaceful electoral outcomes in Liberia’s national elections.
Key Actors
International observers (regional bodies, UN/IFIs)
Domestic/local observers (Liberian civil society coalitions, professional associations)
Media observers (press accreditation)
Accredited observers via NEC and recognized coalitions
Accreditation and Legality
NEC Liberia oversees accreditation, polling procedures, and results transmission.
Observation is permitted under Liberia’s electoral laws; adhere to accreditation, safety, and non-interference rules.
Timelines: accreditation typically opens months before Election Day; apply through NEC or accredited coalitions.
Preparation and Planning
Choose observer track: international, domestic, citizen, or media.
Join a recognized observer network or coalition; obtain required credentials.
Define scope: polling units, counting centers, results transmission centers; ensure geographic sampling (urban/rural, counties).
Training: complete pre-election training on procedures, indicators, safety, and ethics.
Tools: standardized checklists, reporting templates, offline data capture options; photo/video where permitted.
Deployment Strategy
Coverage plan: representative sampling across counties (e.g., Montserrado, Lofa, Nimba) and border areas; mix of urban/rural polling sites.
Logistics: travel, lodging, vehicles, power for devices, data storage, secure communications.
Safety: security briefings, risk assessments, emergency contacts, contingency plans.
On Election Day
At polling places:
Verify accreditation; observe voter access, queuing, secrecy, and adherence to procedures.
Record anomalies: delays, intimidation, missing materials, misprinted ballots.
Counting and transmission:
Observe counting where allowed; document procedures and deviations.
Monitor results transmission for consistency with official figures.
Reporting:
Use approved templates; corroborate observations with evidence; escalate critical issues through coalition/NEC channels.
Post-Election Activities
Preliminary report: concise, factual overview of trends and anomalies.
Verification: cross-check with NEC results and other observer reports.
Public engagement: briefings with communities, media, and stakeholders; provide channels for reporting irregularities.
Follow-up: contribute to post-election reviews and reform recommendations.
Ethical and Operational Principles
Impartiality, non-interference, accuracy, and verification.
Safety first; comply with laws, codes of conduct, and data privacy where applicable.
Respect for observers, voters, and officials; no disruption of processes.
Timeline (Condensed)
6–12 months before: join coalition, plan accreditation.
3–6 months before: complete training; finalize deployment plan.
Weeks before: confirm sampling; secure logistics.
Election Day: observe and report.
1–2 weeks after: publish preliminary findings; submit final report.
Resources (examples; verify current partners)
NEC Liberia: https://necliberia.org/ (accreditation guidelines)
Civil society coalitions (verify current partners)
Regional bodies: ECOWAS, African Union, United Nations Development Programme Liberia