Regulations & Procedures

Overview

The National Elections Commission issues detailed regulations and operational procedures for every aspect of the electoral process. These documents provide binding, step-by-step instructions for NEC staff, political parties, candidates, observers, and the general public.

Voter Registration Procedures

Registration Process

1. Center Activation: NEC establishes registration centers in all electoral districts. Each center is staffed by trained registration officers equipped with biometric capture devices.
2. Eligibility Screening: Applicant presents valid identification (national ID, passport, or birth certificate). Registration officer confirms the applicant is a Liberian citizen aged 18 or above.
3. Data Capture: Personal information is recorded including full name, date of birth, gender, address, and electoral district. Photograph and fingerprint biometrics are captured digitally.
4. Duplicate Check: Biometric data is cross-referenced against the existing voter database using the Automated Fingerprint Identification System (AFIS) to prevent double registration.
5. Card Issuance: Upon successful registration and deduplication, the voter receives a voter registration card bearing their photograph, name, registration number, and assigned polling place.
6. Voter Roll Compilation: All registration data is compiled into the Provisional Voter Roll at the county and national levels.

Voter Roll Exhibition

1. Public Display: The Provisional Voter Roll is displayed at all registration centers for a prescribed period (typically 10–14 days).
2. Citizen Verification: Citizens check their entries for accuracy — name spelling, photograph, date of birth, and assigned polling place.
3. Claims & Objections: Citizens may file claims for inclusion, corrections, or objections to the inclusion of others during the exhibition period.
4. Adjudication: NEC officers review and decide on all claims and objections. Supporting evidence may be required.
5. Final Voter Roll: After adjudication, the Final Voter Roll is compiled and certified by the Board of Commissioners for use on Election Day.

Polling Day Procedures

Opening the Poll (8:00 AM)

1. Presiding Officer verifies all materials are present: ballot papers, indelible ink, voter roll, ballot boxes, voting screens, tally sheets
2. Ballot boxes are shown empty to all present party agents and observers, then sealed with tamper-evident seals
3. Serial numbers of seals are recorded on the Opening Form in the presence of agents
4. The polling place is officially declared open

Voting Process

1. Queue Management: Voters line up in an orderly manner. Security personnel maintain order. Voters in line before 6:00 PM are permitted to vote.
2. Identification: Voter presents their voter registration card. Polling officer locates the voter on the voter roll and verifies identity by comparing photograph.
3. Inking: The voter's left small finger is checked for indelible ink (to prevent double voting). If clear, ink is applied before ballot issuance.
4. Ballot Issuance: Voter receives the official ballot paper(s), stamped by the presiding officer on the back.
5. Marking: Voter proceeds behind the voting screen. The voter marks their choice by placing a thumbprint or check mark next to their preferred candidate's name and symbol.
6. Casting: Voter folds the ballot and deposits it into the designated ballot box. The voter exits the polling place.

Closing & Counting (6:00 PM)

1. Presiding Officer declares the poll closed. No more voters are admitted to the queue.
2. All remaining voters in the queue are processed before counting begins.
3. Unused ballot papers are counted, recorded, and sealed in an envelope.
4. Ballot box seals are inspected for tampering and serial numbers verified against the Opening Form.
5. Ballot boxes are opened one at a time in the presence of party agents and observers.
6. Ballots are sorted by candidate, counted aloud, and displayed for all to see.
7. Invalid (rejected) ballots are separated, counted, and recorded.
8. Results are entered on the official Record of the Count form and signed by the Presiding Officer, polling staff, and party agents.
9. Copies of the Record of the Count are distributed to party agents and posted at the polling place.

Results Tabulation Procedures

Tally Center Operations

1. Receiving: Sealed results envelopes arrive at County Tally Centers from all polling places. Each envelope is logged, with time of arrival and condition of seals recorded.
2. Verification: Tally officers open envelopes, verify completeness of documentation (Record of the Count, unused ballots, voter roll), and check for discrepancies.
3. Data Entry: Results from each polling place are entered into the electronic tabulation system. Double-entry verification is used to ensure accuracy.
4. Progressive Tabulation: County-level results are progressively compiled and transmitted to the National Tally Center at NEC headquarters in Monrovia.
5. Reconciliation: National Tally Center reconciles all county results, checks for statistical anomalies, and verifies total votes against registered voters per polling place.
6. Dispute Resolution: Any discrepancies or complaints are reviewed by the Results Verification Committee before final tabulation.
7. Certification: Once all results are verified, the Board of Commissioners formally certifies the final results.
8. Publication: Certified results are publicly announced by the Chairperson and published on the NEC website, in the Official Gazette, and through the media.

Transparency Measures

• Party agents and accredited observers have the right to be present at every stage of counting and tabulation
• Copies of all results forms are provided to party agents at the polling place level
• Results are posted publicly at each polling place immediately after counting
• The electronic tabulation system includes audit trails and access logging
• Progressive results are published on the NEC website as they are received
• All original results forms are preserved as legal records for the statutory complaint period

Complaints & Appeals Procedures

Filing a Complaint

1. Who May File: Any registered voter, candidate, political party, or accredited observer may file a formal complaint with the NEC.
2. Filing Method: Complaints must be submitted in writing to the NEC (county office or headquarters) using the official complaint form, including supporting evidence.
3. Timelines: Complaints related to polling day must be filed within 7 days. Complaints on results must be filed within 7 days of certification.

Hearing Process

1. NEC acknowledges receipt and assigns the complaint to a Hearing Officer or panel
2. The respondent is notified and given an opportunity to respond in writing
3. A hearing is scheduled where both parties may present evidence, call witnesses, and make oral arguments
4. The Hearing Officer issues a written decision with findings of fact and conclusions of law
5. Decisions may be appealed to the Board of Commissioners within 7 days
6. Board decisions may be further appealed to the Supreme Court of Liberia, whose decision is final

Electoral Offenses & Penalties

Offense	Description	Penalty
Double Registration	Registering to vote more than once	Fine and/or imprisonment up to 1 year
Double Voting	Voting more than once in the same election	Fine and/or imprisonment up to 2 years
Vote Buying	Offering money, gifts, or favors in exchange for votes	Fine and/or imprisonment up to 3 years
Intimidation	Using threats or violence to influence voting	Fine and/or imprisonment up to 5 years
Ballot Tampering	Altering, destroying, or stuffing ballots	Fine and/or imprisonment up to 5 years
Impersonation	Voting under another person's name	Fine and/or imprisonment up to 2 years
Disrupting Elections	Interfering with polling or counting processes	Fine and/or imprisonment up to 3 years
Unauthorized Possession	Unauthorized possession of electoral materials	Fine and/or imprisonment up to 5 years

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