With just 18 months to the conduct of the 2011 General and Presidential Elections in the country, it seems that all is now going well with the National Elections Commission in terms of support. Yesterday, the Commission signed a Project Document with its development partners for the smooth conduct of the pending elections. According to Moustapha Soumare, Deputy SRSG of UNMIL & Resident Representative of UNDP, under the Project Document, the total estimated cost of the project is US$39.3 million.

Mr. Soumare noted that out of this amount, the government of Liberia has committed US$12.1 million while the Spanish Government has contributed US$750,000 and at the same time pledges made by other development partners amount to US$15.6 million. “I'm confident that the balance in the national Budget will successfully be mobilized this year,” Mr. Soumare intimated. National Elections Commission (NEC) Chairman, James Fromayan described the signing of the Project Document as a milestone in the history of the Commission.

Mr. Fromayan said the electoral process is well on course but reiterated a call for the National Legislature and the Executive to ensure that the most contentious Threshold Bill be speedily passed to pave the way for the conduct of the 2011 elections. Chairman Fromayan then acknowledged that the conduct of the 2011 elections rest squarely with the government of Liberia despite international assistance. Fromayan then urged all stakeholders including political parties, the Legislature, the Executive, the media and Civil Society organizations in the country to move the electoral process forward by playing their respective roles.He pointed out that without the conduct of the 2011 elections, there will be serious consequences, noting, “The Legislature and the Executive must ensure that the Threshold Bill be passed without further delay.

The NEC boss has at the same time assured the public that the 2011 electoral process is on course adding that the Project Document goes beyond 2011. Amara Konneh, Liberia's Minister of Planning and Economic Affairs said the document is intended to finance the 2011 elections. He assured that government is committed to meeting its obligation to the NEC. Political parties in the country have welcomed the gesture by Liberia's development partners but called on the National Elections Commission to conduct free, fair and transparent elections in 2011.