SUPPORT TO THE LIBERIAN ELECTORAL CYCLE UNDP ELECTIONS PROJECT NARRATIVE REPORT 2014

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1 SUPPORT TO THE LIBERIAN ELECTORAL CYCLE UNDP ELECTIONS PROJECT NARRATIVE REPORT 2014

2 Project ID: Program Period: 2014 CPAP Component: Governance and Rule of Law Total Budget: $844,265 2 P age

3 Table of content Executive Summary... 4 Output 1.1: Professional/Institutional Development Program... 5 Output 2.3: Voter register updated and voter registration improved... 7 Output 2.4: Provide equipment for the proper functioning of the NEC warehouse... 7 Output 3.1: Women s political participation and leadership enhanced... 8 Output 4.1: Political parties capacity enhanced, coordinated and conflict prevented Output 5.1: Election related laws reviewed and stakeholders forum held Output 6.1: Linkage between NEC & the legislature enhanced to facilitate passage of electoral laws Conclusion and ways forward P age

4 Executive Summary The National Elections Commission (NEC) of Liberia has made significant progress in its quest to improve electoral management and institutional development for the conduct of professional and credible elections in the country. Between 2005 and 2011 the commission with the support of the international community conducted two post war-elections and a number by-elections which were rated as being credible, free, fair and transparent. Despite these achievements the Commission is still faced with mainly operational and Institutional weaknesses that must be overcome in order to promote sustainability of previous achievements, ensure National ownership of electoral processes and enhance the Nation s evolving democracy through the continuous conduct of credible elections. In March 2013, a new board of commissioners including a Chairman of the commission took over the affairs of the NEC. The new leadership purposed to work towards overcoming Commission s operational and institutional weaknesses. The desire of the new leadership necessitated a compelling need for the project with funding from SIDA and UNDP to provided technical and financial supports in 2014, to help the new board of commissioners implement a robust institutional roadmap that was developed in 2012 to deal with the numerous challenges faced by the commission with the aim of improving the institution and management processes. To help achieve this objective, the UNDP Election project with the consent of the NEC embedded in its annual work plan of 2014 activities to address key challenges including assistance to improve managerial, financial and organizational systems and processes in the NEC, assist the commission accomplish the electoral legal reform, strengthen the planning capacities of various departments in the NEC including training and procedures, communications and external relations, gender and Civic Education departments. The key focus of the 2014 project implementation was to support the passage of the election law amendments before the start of the senatorial elections, undertake institutional strengthening and improve administrative functioning of the NEC and assets management system, support the implementation of the voter role update process and accomplish it before the senatorial elections, develop strategies and budgets to organize continuous voter education; improve NEC communication strategy; build the capacity of the legal and hearing offices to develop necessary legal regulations and policies for 2014 elections and improve cooperation between the NEC, the legislature and political parties on election related matters; The project supported NEC in preparation of highly contested 2014 special senatorial elections during the second outbreak of the EVD. Despite of operational difficulties, political tension and uncertainty with the final day of election, the project succeeded to support NEC improving its communication with electoral stakeholders, in particular with political parties and strengthen operational and logistical effectiveness. The successful conduct of the 2014 Special Senatorial elections without major support from international partners, which results were rated as trustworthy, free, fair and transparent, speaks to the fact that the NEC favourably responds to calls for national ownership of the electoral process and achieving its goals as set forth by the NEC leadership. This is indeed a promising call for international community who have invested significant time and resources to ensure that the Commission reaches this level. During the reporting period the UNDP election project has effectively collaborated with NEC and election partner organizations to ensure a sustainable, inclusive and coordinated support to election administration in Liberia. Present report describes the project activities and analyses progress that has been achieved during the 2014 operation year. 4 P age

5 Output 1.1: Professional/Institutional Development Program Following an assessment of the capacity needs of the NEC, a process that gave birth to the development and eventual approval of an Administration Manual in 2013, the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in June 2014 supported a monitoring mission to assess to what extent the Manual is being implemented. The overall purpose of the consultancy was to take stock of the current status as far as implementation is concerned and provide further guiding steps in order to ensure full compliance to the manual within the shortest time possible as part of NEC's institutional capacity development. The assignment was conducted in May/June 2014 through discussions with heads of Departments and Sections, through observations and review of internally generated documents on a sample basis to ascertain the extent to which progress has been made on implementing the Manual. Summary of Findings compensate While some progress has been made within the seven months since the Manual was launched, a serious work still remains for full Manual implementation. Good progress has been made with regard to re-organizing the warehouse and using prescribed forms. There is an Asset and Warehouse management software installed; use of which has commenced. There is separation of responsibilities between procurement and the warehouse with regard to the receipt of procured goods and there is on-going work to redraft Terms of Reference (TOR) of all staff. Finance and Budget department is using most of the forms in the Administration Manual and the Internal Audit Unit has developed standards as well as an audit plan of action. These initiatives are laudable and need to be accelerated, especially given that they have been undertaken within a short time since the adoption of the Manual. However, there are also a number of areas that require the attention of management and the Board of Commissioners (BOC). Some staff recruitments have not followed the complete due process, staff performance appraisals are not carried out systematically and the remuneration structure as well as the related benefits handbook is yet to be developed and approved. While procurement plans are done as required by the Public Procurement and Concessions (PPCC) act, specific elections related procurement plans are not developed well in advance to avoid the last minute rush. Asset inventory and labelling is yet to be undertaken in order to pave way for the entry of assets details in the Asset management software installed in 2013/2014. Audit reports being issued in respect of departments, sections and units are not being formally responded to, and action plans are not being drawn to implement audit recommendations. Recommended Next Steps Management should take specific steps to ensure that the areas lagging behind as highlighted above are addressed - development of TORs for staff, performance appraisals, development of salary scales and benefits structure, early procurement planning and documentation, carrying out an inventory of all assets and, respond to all internal audit queries and draw plans to address audit findings. A review of staff numbers required in each department as well as assessing the suitability of staff to perform assigned roles need to be conducted to establish efficient and optimal staffing levels. Roles of other units such as Project Design may need to be re-examined. In addition to these, the following system wide steps should be taken to sustain the momentum and deepen the implementation of administrative reforms through the Manual and other related instruments. 5 P age

6 The Internal Audit Unit should provide impetus to the process of the implementation of the Administration manual by routinely auditing the extent to which each department has implemented its requirements. Reports to this effect should be submitted to management and the BOC who should take corrective action and provide support where implementation is not going according to plan. It is also suggested that Department and Section heads be required to submit monthly/quarterly reports indicating areas in the manual that have been implemented and challenges being faced in the implementation. Having automated the Assets and Warehouse management functions, albeit with more work to be done in those areas, it is suggested that all the remaining business units in procurement, human resources benefit from an integrated software that connects all the business units. This should be made possible through mapping of areas to be automated, developing specifications and identifying a suitable vendor to help implement the system and train staff to manage it accordingly. Finally, it is recommended that sufficient financial resources be committed by the NEC to help support implementation of the manual. For instance, the Warehouse needs office space within the warehouse for staff and better arrangement of materials, the procurement team requires adequate office space for all its staff to work together and also for the storage of documents, the audit team need supplies and resources to conduct routine audits, to mention but a few. Institutional development is one of the key areas that UNDP project focuses to strengthen the institutional capacity of the NEC and enhance its policy formulation, planning and operational delivery services of free and fair elections. It still remains UNDP s priority to work with the NEC on further improvement of administrative systems and follow its development through periodic monitoring phases. 2.1 Output 1: support to the 2014 Special elections NEC training and procedure section support From June 24 to August 2, 2014, the project did hire a procedures and training consultant who worked in close collaboration with the NEC procedures and training department to accomplish several important tasks ahead of the 2014 special senatorial elections. The training and procedures consultant worked closely with the NEC training and procedures section as well as operation and assisted in development of the following documents, mainly: Operational plan for the NEC procedures and training unit; Polling and counting manual; Amendment proposal for the NEC regulation on polling and counting manual; Polling staff duty sheets and designed polling and counting forms for elections and training; Polling Staff training general matrix and unified blank form for Magisterial Areas to design their own cascade matrixes; Election and Training Material Packing Procedures; Recount Procedures; Intake and tally Procedures and training material distribution instructions. All materials developed with support of the consultant were approved by the NEC Board of commissioners and used during the special senatorial elections. 6 P age

7 2.1.2 NEC TOT workshop (Special Senatorial elections) From November 26-28, the project with funding from UNDP did sponsor a training of trainers workshop spearheaded by the training and procedure department of the NEC for first level trainers. The training which brought together nineteen magistrates, nineteen assistant magistrates, four regional coordinators and other resource staff of the commission, did focus on key topics relevant for the conduct of the 2014 special senatorial elections. Topic treated during the training included the following: Structure and code of conduct of Electoral Officials Polling Materials Procedures on Poll Opening Duties of Polling Staff Allowances to the Polling canters Dealing with Election Complaints Counting steps The use of various forms Packaging of Election materials Simulating the different sub-election polling materials etc. This training was crucial and necessary to provide hands-on tools for elections for the enhancement of credible senatorial elections in Training of Trainers programs took place at Golden Gate hotel for 3 days in 2 classes. The first day of the training was devoted to polling procedures, second to counting steps and the last day the participants practiced on the completion of operational forms. For better understanding of procedures, mock ballot papers were used for polling and counting simulations NEC Public Information Supported This output was not carried out due to the outbreak of Ebola in the country and turning down the job offers by the selected candidate. Output 2.3: Voter register updated and voter registration improved Right after completion of the Voter registration update, NEC begun implementation of the Voter role exhibition ensuring that Updated voter roll contains the correct names and photos of all eligibly registered voters. Based on VRU training plan, at HQ level, NEC training and procedures section with support of UNDP organized training courses for the VRU exhibition staff. The Training of Trainers (TOT) course took place at NEC HQ on of April and trained first level trainers, mainly: 19 magistrates, 19 magistrate assistants and 4 regional coordinators. The ToT were conducted for 2 days. During the training participants were explained VRU exhibition procedures and how to complete the operational forms. Printing materials and stationeries have been provided during the entire period of the training. Output 2.4: Provide equipment for the proper functioning of the NEC warehouse The UNDP election project procured 380 plastic warehouse pallets for the NEC 19 magisterial warehouses; Pallets are required for the improvement of the warehouse layout prior to the elections and guarantee proper safeguarding of the electoral assets. Close the holding of the special senatorial elections, the project with funding from UNDP provided logistical support to the NEC in preparation for the conduct of the election. The support included the printing of 4000 stock cards, printing of 200 copies of logistic manuals, over 30,000 thousand copies of the addendum to the polling and counting manual. The project 7 P age

8 also funded the supply of spare parts and repair of the forklift belonging to the commission, which was used for the offloading elections materials brought into the country and the arrangement of materials in the warehouse. Output 3.1: Women s political participation and leadership enhanced The UNDP election project through funds provided by SIDA supported NEC CVE and Gender offices to conduct youth and women awareness programs for the 2014 voters roll update process. 23 CSOs were involved in awareness program national wide. The overall objective was achieved through short-term capacity building of CSO staff, field visits to communities, organization of the Market Day Mobilization activities and conducting awareness briefings in schools providing electoral information on upcoming voter roll update. In January/February 2014, the NEC monitoring/evaluation section together with the NEC gender and CVE staff conducted field monitoring of the awareness activities. Youth awareness program for voter roll update process The National Elections Commission (NEC) with support from the United Nations Development Program (UNDP) conducted a two-month Youth Awareness Project on the Voter Roll Update Exercise from December 10, 2013-February 10, The project was a major information dissemination campaign which targeted students in senior secondary schools, colleges and universities as well as various communities in the 15 counties. Five lead CSOs specifically, NAYMOTE, DEN-L, LINWOCO, SDA and UNWODA, were contracted by the UNDP to assist the NEC in the implementation of the CVE component of the Youth Awareness Campaign in the 15 counties of Liberia. The lead CSOs subcontracted Community and Faith Based Organization (CBOs & FBOs) in each county to strengthen their capacity for the delivery of the services. The CBOs and FBOs included Disabled Peoples Organizations (DPOs) as well as Youth and Women groups. In an effort to ensure the successful implementation of the project, a two-day training on the steps and procedures for conducting the school-based-information-dissemination campaign was conducted for both the lead CSOs and sub grantees. The training sessions were jointly facilitated by the CVE Section, M&E Section of the Commission and UNDP using a comprehensive training manual for the campaign developed by the NEC and UNDP. Similarly, a number of Civic and Voter Education (CVE) materials such as posters, flyers, stickers, banners, t-shirts and caps were produced and used during the entire implementation period. In addition to these materials, radio messages produced in simple English and the 16 local Languages through jingles and dramas were broadcast on national and rural radio stations across the country. There were also cultural troops dramatizing the steps and procedures of the VRU at public gatherings. These efforts, particularly materials and various radio programs were very helpful in educating and encouraging young people, especially first time voters. An overall impression gathered by magisterial offices and field monitoring teams indicates a satisfactory performance of the contracted CSOs. Most of the CSOs approached the campaign professionally and to a large extent engaged the schools, religious institutions and populated centers. Over 60 locations (both schools and public areas) were covered by CSOs in Maryland, Grand Kru, River Gee, Sinoe, Grand Gedeh, Lower and Upper Nimba, Lower and Upper Montserrado, Grand Bassa, River Cess, Margibi, Upper and Lower Lofa and Upper and Lower Bong counties. Town-hall meetings were also organized in a number of towns and villages. The CVE campaign materials such as posters and stickers could be seen in areas where the CSOs operated. In addition, Observation and Monitoring teams from the NEC confirmed the broadcast of VRU messages through local community radios across the country. 8 P age

9 Although there were some challenges experienced by the CSOs as reflected in their reports, the campaign on the overall was a success. To a large extent, this accounts for the encouraging number of first time voters recorded so far in the VRU Exercise. In spite of the achievements made as a result of the intervention, it is good to mention some challenges the CSOs faced as well. Many of them faced logistical difficulties in getting to far distances due to inaccessible roads and bridges. Youth CSOs received grants for activities: Naymote Partners For Development Grand Gedeh, River Gee, Grand Kru CVE/Youth $ 12, Sustainable Development Action Inc River Cees, Sino, Maryland CVE/Youth $ 11, United Woman Development Association Montserado, Margibi, Grand Bassa CVE/Youth $ 13, Development Education Network-Liberia Nimba, Lofa, Bong CVE/Youth $ 14, Liberia Needy Women and Children Org. Bomi, Cape mount, Gbarpolu Grand total CVE/Youth $ 8, $ 61, Enhance women s political participation and leadership In order to achieve a successful transfer of information on the 2014 voter roll update, it is imperative that a workable strategy be adapted to enable CSOs effectively carry out activities that will ultimately yield active participation. NEC structured its gender awareness activities to increase the participation of first time female voters during the 2014 Voter Role Update process. Taking into account the importance of this process, UNDP election project with financial support of SIDA provided grants to CSOs for gender awareness. The purpose of the grants project was to: Capacitate accredited women organizations, community and faith based groups to carry out awareness building activities to increase women s participation in the 2014 voter roll update; Enable broad based conveyance of gender and election promotional and motivational messages through NEC s 18 magisterial areas for the 2014 Voter Roll Update. The overall objectives was achieved through short-term capacity building of 18 CSO staff, field visits to communities, focusing on gender leadership and providing electoral information on upcoming voters roll update. These organizations used various medium to inform women about the VRU process, such as: T-shirts, posters, banners, flyers, mega phones and traditional moon light performance that was done by the cultural troupes in various towns and villages of the counties. In addition, the Gender Section at the NEC in collaboration with UNDP conducted a four days market day Mobilization in the four (4) regions ensuring the full participation of women in the 2014 Voter Roll Update. The fundamental objective of the Gender Market Day Mobilization was to afford female voters the opportunity to ascertain in a clear cut way the importance of women participation in the Voter Roll Update. Also, the Mobilization sought to enable staff encourage female to exercise their civic duties. The Mobilization teams used the combination of information, mega phones, posters, flyers, banners, T-shirts water and extra juices to gather the crowd and mobilize them. The Gender Market-Day Mobilization was rewarding. It served as a boost for the Gender Section to have more women informed and encouraged to participate in the upcoming voter roll update. 9 P age

10 It was also observed that team members were instrumental, disciplined, cooperative and coordinative. It was unearthed that women are incrementally becoming conscious of their constitutional rights to equally compete with their male counterparts politically. The grant was managed directly by UNDP but implemented by NEC. Civil society organizations and community based organizations selected were awarded small grants to conduct voter roll update awareness activities in the 19 magisterial areas. CSOs received grants for activities: Youth For Development & Progressive Action Upper Bong CVE/ Gender $ 3, National Children Foundation and Community Bomi CVE/ Gender $ 2, Youth in Action for the Prevention of HIV Gbrapolu CVE/ Gender $ 2, Human Rights Group to Save Humanity Cape Mount CVE/ Gender $ 2, South Eastern Woman Dev t Association RiverGee CVE/ Gender $ 2, Liberia Electoral Assistant Network Margibi No segregated statistics CVE/ Gender $ 2, A be nyun jaa Incorporated River Cees CVE/ Gender $ 2, Vintage Entertainment Upper Montserado CVE/ Gender $ 3, Justice and Peace Commission Maryland CVE/ Gender $ 2, Woman in Peace Building Network Lower Bong CVE/ Gender $ 3, Rural Shelter Assistance Program (RSAP) Grand Gedeh CVE/ Gender $ 2, Women Development Association - Grand Kru CVE/ Gender $ 2, Aiding Disadvantaged Women and Girls Lower Nimba CVE/ Gender $ 3, Community Safety Initiative (CSI) Lower Lofa CVE/ Gender $ 3, Women Empowerment for Sustainable Development ULofa CVE/ Gender $ 3, Fore-runners of Children s Universal Rig - Sino CVE/ Gender $ 2, Liberia Rural Women Network Upper Nimba CVE/ Gender $ 3, Women Development Association Grand Bassa CVE/ Gender $ 3, Grand Total $ 46, An overall impression gathered by magisterial offices and field monitoring teams indicated a satisfactory performance of the contracted CSOs. Most of the CSOs approached the campaign professionally and to a large extent engaged the schools, religious institutions and populated centres. Monitoring teams reported logistical difficulties in getting far distances, inaccessible roads and bridges as well as lack of adequate transportation as some of the major challenges the CSOs faced in implementing the CVE campaign. Some teams also reported that the lack of sufficient qualified personnel of various CSOs in some of the counties was influencing the effectiveness of the CVE campaign. Moreover, the transportation of the CVE materials proved to be a challenge as in some cases porters were asking for higher compensation which the CSO found difficult to accommodate. In addition to these constraints, the teams also observed conceptual challenges related to general voters lack of interest, difficulties in accessing the VRU Centers as some of the major factors affecting the CVE VRU campaign. As a result total 106,325 persons participated in gender awareness program among them 47,107 males and 59,218 females) VRU and registered voters Despite of the successful implementation of the gender awareness activities preliminary data from the 2014 update of the voter registration for the Senatorial elections indicated that only 10 P age

11 37% of registered voters were women. This indicator is quite low comparing with the results of the 2011 Voter registration process where registered women were 49%. In order to find reasonable solution against the low participation of women in electoral process strong advocacy and unanimity is required amongst civil society groups and political parties. Lack of civic and voter education programs for women, the absence of the properly functioning national institutions and weak political parties can be potential ground that prevents women from electoral participation. In the gender mainstreaming efforts political parties should be encouraged to introduce affirmative measures in their polices and party structures to ensure that women participation in elections is encouraged. Gender and Media Workshop In February 2014, the NEC Gender Section with support provided by the UNDP election project through SIDA convened a two-day Gender and Media Conference. It brought together over 50 participants including representatives from various CSOs, the Print and Electronic Media, UNDP, UNMIL Gender Affairs and the President of the Press Union of Liberia. The intent of the workshop was to enhance knowledge and understanding on the importance of gender in the media activities as well as to ensure effective collaboration for the promotion of gender sensitivity and equality in the media coverage and reportage as it relate to the elections. Two-day Regional Seminars Buchanan, Robert sports, Gbarnga and Fish Town - April 21 to May 13 The NEC, which has the mandate to manage elections, delivers free and fair elections as a means of advancing the course of democracy and good governance, with support from SIDA through UNDP organized and held four (4) regional Seminars in Buchanan, Robertsports, Gbarnga and Fish Town on Women s Participation in the electoral processes. This information builds on comprehensive report or analysis of factors responsible for the low participation of women in the electoral processes particularly the Analysis of Women s Political Participation and Integration of a Gender Perspective in the 2011 Electoral Process in Liberia. It also summarizes the reasons for the low participation of women (specifically voters and potential candidates) in the electoral processes as gathered from the participants. Objectives of the Regional Seminars The objectives of the Regional Seminars were as follows: 1. To increase participants knowledge on gender and election or the electoral processes; 2. To increase participants knowledge on the importance of women participation in the electoral processes; 3. To share information and best practices, lesson learnt, and challenges to women participation in the electoral processes including the voter roll update exercise; and 4. To devise targeted strategies and intervention to increase women participation in the remaining processes of the electoral process. Approach/methodology The Seminar brought together a total of 152 participants (38 from each region) representing Women s Groups, Civil Society Organizations, Community Based Organizations, Gender Equality Partners (ABIC, UNMIL OGA, UNMIL Human Civil Affairs, IFES) and Government Institution (Ministry of Gender and Development County Coordinators) and the NEC Magistrates from the 15 counties of Liberia that were cluster into regions. With region 1: Buchanan comprising of Montserrado, Margibi, Rivercess and Grand Bassa counties; region 2: Robertsports, comprises of Bomi, Gbarpolu, Cape Mount and Lofa counties; region 3: Gbarnga comprises of Nimba, Grand 11 P age

12 Gedeh and Bong counties and region 4: Fish Town comprises of Sinoe, Maryland, Grand Kru and River Gee counties respectively. The two-day seminars was coordinated and co-facilitated by the NEC members of NEC Board of Commissioners, Gender Director of NEC and facilitated by the Chairperson of the National CSOs Council of Liberia (Female) and the Deputy Head of Programs/Gender Expert, President Young Professional Program of Liberia (Male). The Seminars was divided into two sessions. The first session was the official opening which entailed remarks by the host county authority, NEC Oversight Commissioners, and Gender equality partners; while the second session focused on presentations by facilitators on key topics such as gender and elections, the importance of women participation, the hindrances and barriers of women s participation in Liberia, the best practices and lessons learned from previous processes as well as developing strategies for women s effective participation in electoral processes. The second session also took on an interactive and cross-counties discussion approach amongst participants as well as a break-up session (group work and group presentations) which facilitated smooth information sharing as it relate to the theme of the seminar. The importance of this session was to stimulate the kind of discussion which provided the necessary and relevant information needed to inform a result-based intervention by the NEC gender activities as well as to enable gender equality partners as well as donors to strategically combine efforts to support the quest of achieving gender equality by increasing women s participation in the electoral processes. Best practices and lessons learned from previous processes and challenges to women participation have been highlighted. Recommendations provided by the participants at the end of the seminars included the following: That international gender partners should provide financial support to political parties to ensure that women are represented in political party leadership and policy committee; The government, CSOs and international partners should engage and support political parties to clearly identify the advancement of women as priorities in their platform; Ensure that more women groups and women CSOs are engaged, hired and trained to carry out CVE in the various communities. In addition, recruit CVE staff or support groups from the various villages who speak the local language of the people; Support and improve media coverage for women s issues and women candidates; Create a gender-sensitive men at all levels to champion the cause for gender equality and to lobby, advocate and promote women participation in the political processes; The Gender County Coordinators (MoGD) are very knowledgeable of women specific concerns and issues and therefore should be involve in all gender related activities at the county levels for women participation in the electoral processes Gender and CVE units support for senatorial elections With support from UNDP, a total of 14 women s CSOs and CBOs were hired through collaboration with the Women s NGOs Secretariat of Liberia (WONGOSOL). CSOs were given small grants to reach out to the various communities, towns and villages of each county to create awareness and sensitize the women to participate in the election. These activities were intended to increase women s participation in the electoral processes. CSOs held face to face meetings with women s groups and educated them on the importance of their participation in 12 P age

13 elections as well as about the steps and procedures of voting (statistics data of the program is under compilation which is based on the CSOs reports) CSOs received grants for activities: No. County CSOs/CBOs/Women s Group Grants 1. Bomi Youth United for Development Association Rural Development Association 2. Grand Cape Mount Medina Women Development Tewor Women Development Association 3. Rivercess Movement for National Women Association (MONWA) Sustainable Development Action 4. River Gee Gee-Gbeh River Assistance Development Association (GRADA) South Eastern Women Development Association 5. Margibi Sister Aid Liberia, Inc United Churches of the World 6 Sinoe Forerunners of Children Universal Rights for Survival (FOCUS) SEWODA 7 Grand Kru WE for Self GRANWODA $2500 $2500 $2500 $2500 $2500 $2500 $2500 In addition, the Gender Section developed, produced and disseminated gender specific materials (posters, stickers, flyers, banners, etc) and promotional messages and jingles, skits both in English and other vernaculars for the VRU and the election. These were sponsored by IFES, UNDP and the NEC. The UNMIL Gender Affairs also assisted in the airing of these jingles on community s radio stations for the VRU. With support from UNDP, 200 copies of a Gender and CVE Manual was produced and disseminated. Intensifying the Civic and Voter Education Campaign for the Special Senatorial Election The United Nations Development Program (UNDP) provided support to seven CSOs to intensify the Civic and Voter Education (CVE) campaign for the Special Senatorial Election for a period of fifteen days (November 16-30, 2014). The seven key CSOs included the DEN-L, Forum for the Rights of Women, Women Care International, Eden Praise, Sustainable Development Action, Liberia Peace Building Network and Young Women Christian Association of Liberia (YWCA). These organizations assisted the CVE Section of the National Elections Commission (NEC) to disseminate CVE materials including posters, flyers, banners and stickers to communities within the various counties. These are some of the many nationally acclaimed institutions with impeccable track records in working with the NEC over the years in the delivery of CVE and Gender related services. Over the years, reaching out appropriately to towns, villages and communities with CVE materials has always been a challenge given the fact that Civic Educators have to cover long distances and the difficulties they have in carrying huge quantities of materials especially large posters and banners. In many instances, they do not reach to all of the targeted communities thereby denying voters in those areas access to key information about the electoral process. Thus, the support of UNDP was very timely as materials were disseminated to the fifteen counties in an effective way in a short period of time. Materials that were disseminated by these organizations were strictly provided by the commission through its CVE Section. For the purpose of effectiveness in the dissemination 13 P age

14 process, the CVE Section divided the entire country into seven zones with each organization assigned to one. Organizations and Assigned Areas Civil Society Organizations Assigned Area DEN-L Forum for the Rights of Women Women Care International Eden Praise Sustainable Development Action (SDA) Liberia Peace Building Network Young Women Christian Association of Liberia Bong, Lofa & Nimba Grand Cape Mount, Bomi and Gbarpolu Montserrado Margibi and Grand Bassa Rivercess & Sinoe Maryland & Grand Kru River Gee & Grand Gedeh In addition to the Commission s M&E general monitoring and evaluation scheme, the CVE Section collaborated with the Gender and the M&E sections as well as the regional offices to conduct field visits to ensure that the activities were effectively carried out by the organizations as envisaged. Three teams carried out the observation exercise. In almost all of the places visited by the teams, posters and banners were already displayed at strategic locations and key public areas. Output 4.1: Political parties capacity enhanced, coordinated and conflict prevented There is a strong need to support the Inter Party Consultative Committee (IPCC) to enable it to become an effective platform for dialogue and consensus building among political parties and the NEC for the 2014 Senatorial elections. The importance of the IPCC is evident to the political process because the IPCC is the only multi-party platform available to create information sharing, conflict prevention and consensus building amongst political parties and the NEC. The UNDP recognizes importance of the IPCC platform for the peaceful conduct of the 2014 special senatorial elections and provides support for organization of the regular meetings amongst political parties and the NEC. An annual work plan recently developed by the UNDP election project in collaboration with IFES was discussed and approved by the NEC and the IPCC during a workshop held on 12th and 13th of June in Quala Farm. Additionally, the workshop organized in Quala farm provided an ideal forum for the NEC to share information on the election preparation with political parties, enhance political parties understanding of the candidate nomination process for the senatorial elections as well as newly promulgated political party regulations and guidelines. According to the annual work plan, the UNDP/IFES provided technical support and funding to the NEC to host series of workshops throughout the special senatorial elections for the following purposes to: 1) Finalize the IPCC and NEC Memorandum of Understanding (MoU); 2) Develop a constitutional template for political parties; 3) Provide information and clarity to youth groups, civil society and the media on the electoral reform processes, and 4) Brief political parties on any other issues that may arise prior to the P age

15 Senatorial election. The NEC Consultations with stakeholders on setting a new election date Due to the Outbreak of the Ebola Virus Disease (EVD) and the subsequent declaration of a National Health Emergency by the President, the National Elections Commission (NEC) informed Political Parties, Independent Candidates and other stakeholders that it could not conduct a free, fair, and credible senatorial election on 14th October 2014 as mandated by the Constitution of Liberia. The Commission wrote the President of Liberia and the Legislature informing them of its proposal. On 6th August 2014, the President of Liberia declared a State of Emergency that was later approved by the Legislature. Pursuant to the approval of the State of Emergency, the President issued a proclamation suspending the 14th October 2014 Senatorial Election. In the President s proclamation she requested that the NEC hold consultations with various stakeholders and organizations to find a suitable date to conduct the Senatorial Election. Similarly, a Joint Resolution of the House of Representatives and Senate mandated the NEC to consult with stakeholders, organizations and other partners to set a new date to hold the Senatorial Election no later than 20th December Following the Joint Resolution, the NEC held a series of consultations with stakeholders, organizations and partners from 17th 27th October. The Chair of NEC in his opening remarks during the consultations asserted that, the Commission through a Joint Resolution had been mandated by the Legislature to consult with stakeholders to come up with a new date to hold the senatorial election before the 20th of December The Chair went further to say that the possible date that the Commission has in mind to hold election and ensure that newly elected Senators take their seat prior to the beginning of the next Legislative session is 16th of December He cautioned participants at the meetings to avoid bringing up constitutional arguments and instead focus on proposing a new date. Consultation held with Political Parties and Independent Candidates There were mix reactions from Political Parties (PP) and Independent Candidates (IC). While some supported conducting election on 16th December, others asserted that the country cannot hold elections in the midst of the outbreak of the EVD. Except for the National Patriotic Party (NPP) who representative asserted that party cannot support conducting election during the EVD outbreak, most of the larger political parties including the Congress for Democratic Change (CDC) and Liberty Party (LP) opted for elections on 16th December It was clear as well during the discussions, that the decision to support or not the holding of the Senatorial Election on 16th December was not based only on the health factor. Smaller political parties representatives who mentioned in many instances that they would not be able to campaign in the case of an election seemed to indirectly be worried about mobilizing resources as opposed to the larger parties with more resources. However, independent candidates (IC) were more unified in their decision that elections should not be held in the midst of the EVD crisis. Amongst their concerns was the NEC initial proclamation that it could not conduct a free, fair and credible election in the midst of the EVD outbreak and the subsequent declaration of a National Health Emergency by the President. Most ICs argued that in the absent of the NEC providing statistics and reports from health officials showing that it was safe to conduct free, fair and credible election, the NEC should not conduct the Senatorial Election in the midst of the EVD. 15 P age

16 Consultation held with Press Union and Civil Society Organizations The Journalists suggested that the NEC comes up with alternative dates beyond 20th December based on consultations with health authorities at the Ministry of Health, the WHO and CDC, and propose the dates to the Legislature. The Journalists also suggested that a national conference of all stakeholders be convened to craft a possible solution if the possibility does not exist to conduct election this year. The Civil Society Organization members under the umbrella organization referred to as the Election Coordinating Committee (ECC), asked the NEC Chair to state what changes have occurred since the Commission informed stakeholders that it was not in the position to conduct free, fair and credible elections because of the outbreak of the EVD and the declaration of the National Health Emergency by the President of Liberia. The ECC members also asked the Chair whether the Commission had considered logistical needs prior to proposing a 16th December 2014 date. The ECC members wanted to know if the Commission had spoken to health officials and practitioners on the status of the EVD. The organization warned that an election during the EVD crisis will ruin the credibility of the NEC and thereby breakdown the immense confidence that Liberian citizens and the international community have developed in the institution since The ECC later presented a written position to the NEC proposing that the Senatorial Election be held on the 30th of December 2014 to allow the newly elected Senators take their seats in January Consultation held with Ministry of Health, World Health Organization (WHO) and the Center for Disease Control (CDC) Representatives from the Ministry of Health, WHO and CDC provided updates on the status of the EVD in Liberia and urge the NEC to take into consideration, public health if the Senatorial Election is to be held on 16th December The representatives informed the meeting that due to immense international assistance, improved contact tracing and collaborative efforts by the Government of Liberia toward its partners, the country was beginning to see a decline in new cases of EVD. The representatives however, cautioned that the declined does not necessarily means that Ebola was over. The fight against the EVD will not be over until there is a zero case and no new case emerges over a 42 days period. Regional Consultations held in Buchanan, Tubmanburg, Gbarnga and Zwedru With the support of the UNDP election project and IFES, the NEC held consultations in four cities with Political Parties, CSOs, Traditional Council, local health organizations and Youth and Women Groups representations from all fifteen counties of Liberia attending. In Buchanan representatives from Rivercess, Sinoe, Margibi and Grand Bassa Counties were present. In Tubmanburg representatives from Bomi, Gbarpolu, Montserrado and Grand Cape Mount Counties were present. In Gbarnga representatives from Bong, Nimba and Lofa Counties were present and in Zwedru representatives from Grand Gedeh, Grand Kru, River Gee and Maryland Counties were present. The representatives numbered between individuals in each city. Results of the consultations formulated into resolutions bearing the signatures of almost all participants indicated that the NEC should hold the senatorial election on 16th December Conclusion While the consultations proved to be useful in requesting stakeholders input, having the process in a given circumstances and in a state of emergency seemed to be challenging. Despite of constraints, consultations covered all stakeholders and provided opportunity for participants to have a say with regards of elections. However, it was still arguable if elections would be held in a peaceful environment or how much participatory it would be in a given circumstances. 16 P age

17 Although, there was a positive indication of dropping the EVD cases after scaling up of the response strategy by the international community, it was mandatory for the NEC to continue consultations and establish a permanent forum with the health institutions in order to receive regular updates on the EVD development and scale of the risk for elections. This forum served as an early warning mechanism preventing further spread of infection. Output 5.1: Election related laws reviewed and stakeholders forum held The postponement of the election date has triggered a debate amongst stakeholders and other interest groups in the electoral process. One group held the view that election must be held before January, 2015, while another group was of the view that the holding of any kind of election in the country when the Ebola crisis has not been contained is not advisable. The NEC anticipated that the ongoing debate could raise further questions with varying legal implications upon which the NEC may be expected, or in some cases, required to provide clarifications or opinion. In order to successfully meet this challenge, the NEC needed to be guided, among others by expert opinions of experienced legal professional, knowledgeable in Liberian Constitutional Law and capable of conducting advanced legal research and analysis to address questions of complex legal issues that may be generated by the debate. Although the National Election Commission maintains a legal section, that section was understaffed with only two (2) legal counsels and one (1) research attorney. The capacity of the legal section was further impaired at this crucial time because the senior legal counsel was on a prolonged health leave. On the basis of the above, the Commission sought the assistance of the UNDP election project to underwrite the cost of contracting one qualified national legal consultant to provide the services referred to herein above for the period of the special senatorial election. In December 2014, the UNDP election project recruited the national legal consultant for two months period to work in close association with the NEC legal team. Amongst other deliverables the legal consultant advised NEC in comparative legal analysis on critical constitutional and other legal implication as it relates to debates surrounding the holding of the 2014 senatorial elections. He also provided legal advise on relevant issues surrounding the electoral process which enabled the commission to make informed decision on electoral legal matters. Besides, the consultant provided a significant assistance to the NEC legal and hearing offices in consideration of complaints received before and after Election Day. Enhancing the Capacity of the NEC hearing section Ahead of the 2014 special senatorial elections, the project with funding from SIDA, provided a modern digital audio court room recording system for the hearing office in order to adjudicate cases that would arise from the election and other elections related matters in a more professional manner. The new system is immensely contributing also to the documentation of cases brought to the hearing office by aggrieved parties. Output 6.1: Linkage between NEC and the legislature enhanced to facilitate passage of electoral laws In early February the UNDP Elections Project engaged the Liberian Legislature in continuation of the effort towards adoption of the Election Law Amendments. After series of meetings and technical assistances (re-drafting provisions, providing advices and logistical support), the Senate began debate on the amendments on 25th February. The Senate debate continued well into the 27th of February and 4th of March when a separate motion was raised and vote was taken to keep the 30% gender provision as part of the amendments. The provision which required political parties to ensure that their list of candidates presented to the National Election Commission (NEC) contains 30% of each gender was debated intensely. Male senators 17 P age

18 opposed to the provision argued that the provision violates the concept of democracy and the free competition of ideas that should be expressed by political parties, and in particular cited Article 77 of the Liberian Constitution relating to Political Parties and Elections. Another argument against the 30% provision was that there is no legal basis for legislating equality between men and women, when the Liberian Constitution guarantee equal rights for all. Eventually, after an intense negotiation period, led by Senator Jewel Howard-Taylor of Bong County, a consensus was reached to rephrase the language of the provision to reflect the word, "endeavor". In other words, the rephrased version of the 30% gender provision stipulates that political parties will endeavour to ensure that 30% of their list for candidates registration has both genders. No penalties are proposed as to what happens if a political party does not have the 30% gender requirement. As well, it is not clear as to what the word endeavour means or would entail. On 20th March the Liberian Senate, in a final vote on the entire amendments passed the bill. Except for rephrasing the language of the 30% gender provision, the Senate kept most of the proposed amendments, including, the proposed fees for candidate s application and registration and the provision which provides for suspension for 2 consecutive elections of political parties or individual candidates who do not win up to 2% of valid votes count. On April 8, the House Committees on Elections and Inauguration and Judiciary reported to the HOR plenary on the Amendments to the Elections Law. The report was accepted and debated intensely. The HCEI and Judiciary committees report included changes in the amendments that were not reflected in the Senate version that was transmitted to the HOR for concurrence. For example, the 30% gender provision was completely deleted by the HOR committees on reasons that it lacks one of the cardinal elements of law, enforceability and contravenes the Liberian Constitution of 1986; which provides for equal participation of all gender above 18yrs. As well, the provision which provides for suspension for 2 consecutive elections of political parties or individual candidates who do not win up to 2% of valid votes count was deleted from the amendments as recorded in the HOR report, for reason that it limits individual freedom and Right to free participation. During the heated debate that followed after the reading of the report in the HOR chamber, the deletion of the 30% gender provision and the increased in fees for candidate s registration stood out as the most outstanding issues. It was suggested that the HCEI and Judiciary committees could have follow suit with the Senate and accept the rephrased language of the 30% gender provision. It was argued that the current senate version that says political party should endeavor to ensure is in line with the Liberian Constitution and should have been kept in the amendments. The Representative quoted Article 8 of the Constitution and emphasized on the word ensuring. The argument was meant to defeat the committees and other male Representatives arguments that the Senate version of the 30% gender provision provided no room for enforcement, because of the word endeavor and therefore cannot be a law. Eventually, a motion was presented to test the committees report. The motion was defeated and the report sent back to the committees to include the 30% gender provision and make other adjustments. On 20th May, the HCEI and Judiciary committees presented an amended report to the HOR plenary that took into consideration the recommendations proposed during the 8th of April debate. In the amended report, the committees concurred with the Senate version of the 30% gender provision and proposed that the candidate application and registration fees in the amendments asking Presidential candidates to pay USD $25,000.00, Vice Presidential candidates to pay $15,000.00, Senatorial candidates to pay $7, and Representative candidates to pay $5, be adjusted to USD $20, for the Presidency, $10, for Vice Presidency, $2, for Senatorial and $1, for Representative. 18 P age