An Overview of Election Violence in Africa: Prospects for a Violence Free Election in Liberia- 2023

Since the advent of the twenty first century, many national electoral processes held the world over especially among African states have been characterized as having achieved a range of outcomes. These have covered an extensive spectrum ranging from groundbreaking and in other cases revolutionary strides towards the institutionalization of democracy through the ballot box. At the other end of this vast spectrum exists the continuum of negative conduct associated with voting namely rigging and electoral fraud; precipitating violence that in some instances escalates into civil conflict. While elections are often considered as the silver bullet solution to conflict, the intensity of violence is sometimes so high that even an election considered free, fair and transparent may not be free of violence or intimidation. There have been numerous accounts of acts of violence and electoral intimidation on the African continent and elsewhere on the globe within the last decade or so. For this reason, election violence as a topic for academic discourse is receiving increasing attention. Liberia is a country emerging from a fourteen-year protracted civil conflict and it is grappling with healing of wounds caused by its civil strife. Concurrently, Liberia has been struggling to foster national unity in a divided state given its historical, social economic and political inequalities, as well as, increasing division amongst its citizenry that has developed for almost the last two centuries of its existence as a nation state. Within less than a year from now (October 2023) Liberians will be going to the polls to participate in presidential and general elections) as mandated by the Constitution of the Republic. The poll will be principally held to elect the president and members of the National Legislature which comprises senators and representatives for the fifteen political sub-divisions within the country. However, judging from the unfolding trend of events in the current electoral process, there are already signs to suggest that the road to elections may possibly turn turbulent. The exacerbation of a highly politically charged atmosphere may have left doubts in the minds of many that the pending 2023 Presidential and general elections in Liberia may not be free, fair or transparent; and least of, all prospects of violence. Liberia’s electoral processes have received support and assurances from international partners and regional organizations through provision of funds, election materials and oversight for the conduct of these elections. Additionally it is of utmost significance that there is genuine commitment expressed by the Government of Liberia to fulfill its share of responsibilities both financially and morally. But what is left is the fulfillment of these responsibilities in practical terms. Moreover, the National Elections Commission (NEC) of Liberia as an independent body is under obligation to conduct itself as an impartial body that should strive to minimize influence or manipulation locally and or internationally. Notwithstanding the NEC is to play this role in an impartial manner. Likewise, political parties and actors also need to play their role in a responsible way; while the voters themselves must conduct their actions in a peaceful manner in order to ensure the prospect for a violence free electoral process in Liberia’s upcoming 2023 presidential and general elections. All of these should contribute to the holding of a free, fair and transparent election free of violence and intimidation.