The United States Aid for International Development (USAID) with support from the U.S. Government has awarded a five-year US $ 17.5 million grant to the International Foundation for Electoral System (IFES) in support of the 2011 Liberian Presidential and General Elections to 2014. According to the Acting Country Director of USAID, Madam Carolyn Teddy, the grant will support sustained election management capacity and operations in Liberia. She said the support to NEC is multi-faceted and includes conducting complex election related exercises such as setting constituency boundaries according to the 2008 population census, conducting referenda on constitutional and electoral laws, voter registration and civic education over the next two years leading up to 2011. The USAID deputy boss made the disclosure yesterday at a join press conference at NEC's Media Center in Sinkor. Also speaking at the conference the president of IFES worldwide Bill Sweeney reconfirmed IFES commitment to partnership with the NEC and USAID in support of Liberia's electoral process. Mr. Sweeney said ,“it is a pleasure to resume our work in Liberia and to once again collaborate with the National Elections Commission(NEC). He said IFES is committed to democracy in Liberia and will help the country continue to make strides in developing its democratic systems, institutions and processes.

Commenting on the passage of the much-talked about Threshold Bill, the IFES boss said it was very critical to pass the bill. “We are not here to advise the lawmakers to pass the bill because it is their responsibility,” he said. He said IFES is privileged to continue the partnership with the US Government through the USAID. The IFES CEO pointed out that the new five-year US government support to the NEC is the beginning of a new chapter in the commission history. In response, the chairman of the NEC Mr. James Fromayan commended the two partners for their support to Liberia. Mr. Fromayan described the occasion as a memorable one for the Commission. To the partners, the NEC Boss described them as reliable partners. “Even when we have crisis, IFES is always with us and on our side,” he added.        USAID through IFES was supportive of Liberia's 1996 and 2005 General and Presidential Elections.