The National Elections Commission (NEC) has declared that all is now set for the conduct of Liberia's second post war democratic elections following more than two years of rigmarole leading to setting the process on pace.

"...The NEC has commenced the journey on the path to the conduct of free, fair, and transparent Legislative and Presidential Elections in 2011," the Commission's chairman James Fromayan told a news conference last Friday on the occasion of the announcement of the key electoral dates for the conduct of the 2011 elections and the method of apportionment of seats based on the based on the recent joint resolution passed by the National Legislature.

NEC had cried that time was running out for the conduct of the 2011 elections following the National Legislature's failure to set the Threshold in two years after NEC had submitted several electoral bills including the threshold to it.

Following what NEC termed an "unwarranted delay", coupled with wide local and international criticisms, the National Legislature on July 22, 2010 passed a Joint Resolution to retain the 64 seats currently existing at the House of Representatives, instead of setting a new threshold.

The Joint Resolution meanwhile creates nine (9) additional seats to be distributed among the six most populated counties of Montserrado, Bong, Nimba, Lofa, Margibi and Grand Bassa.

"In keeping with its mandate, the National Elections Commission wishes to inform the people of Liberia that with the Joint Resolution already printed into Handbill, the NEC has commenced the journey on the path to the conduct of free, fair, and transparent Legislative and Presidential Elections in 2011," Mr. Fromayan emphasized.

He said the Commission has put in place the necessary mechanism for the delineation of electoral districts across the 15 counties of Liberia, a process that will take place following the voter registration exercise which begins January 2011.

"It is significant to note that the delineation exercise will be consistent with internationally accepted standards and practices," the NEC Chairman assured Liberians.

The distribution of the nine (9) additional seats will be based on the percentage of seats currently occupied by the six most populated counties, Mr. Fromayan indicated.

Under this arrangement, Montserrado County with existing 14 seats will have three additional seats, thereby increasing the number of seats to 17.

Nimba County which currently has seven will be increased to nine; while Bong County with existing six seats will have one additional seat thereby

increasing the number of seats to seven.

Grand Bassa, Margibi and Lofa Counties with existing 4 seats each will have one additional seat each, thereby increasing the number of seats to five each, respectively.

"Towards this end, a Voters' Registration plan is being meticulously developed on the basis of geographical planning and harmonized data....We are pleased to announce that the National Voters' Registration Exercise will officially commence on January 10, 2011," the electoral chief disclosed.

He said the voter registration process will be based on the lowest possible geographical/administrative unit, meaning that voters will use the same voters' registration card for subsequent by-elections, as well as, the planned 2013 local government elections, and possibly beyond.

He averred that the NEC will ensure broad base consultation that will enable communities including women and youth groups, civil society organizations, political parties traditional and local leaders the opportunity to offer their views on the pending electoral districting across the country.

"The delineation of electoral boundaries will no longer be immediate but rather take place after the Voters' Registration Exercise," he stated, as a result of the Joint Resolution.

Procurement and delivery of logistics and other essential field preparations for the voter registration exercise are nearing completion, the NEC Chairman disclosed.

He said as the country embark on what he called "this critical path in our post war history," it is a pleasing honor to inform the people of Liberia that the operational plan for the conduct of the 2011 Presidential and General Elections has been produced and ready for implementation.

This landmark accomplishment, he stated, would not have been realized without the immeasurable support of the Government of Liberia and development partners, in particular, the International Foundation for Electoral Systems (IFES), the United Nations Development Program (UNDP) and the United Nations Mission in Liberia (UNMIL), the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), and the European Union (EU).

"At this juncture..., the Commission wishes to announce the official release of the 2011 Electoral key dates leading to the conduct of the 2011 Elections which shall be published shortly in our local newspapers and hosted on the Commission's official website," Chairman Fromayan said.

These Electoral key dates (to be published) are however subject to change based on prevailing circumstances at a given time, he said.

The NEC Chairman then emphasized that the successful conduct of the 2011 Elections hold the key to the maintenance of the peace the country and people currently enjoy, and the economic growth and prosperity of the country.

He vowed that the Commission will fully and timely implement the electoral timetable, saying "We wish to reassure the Liberian people and the international community of the commitment of the National Elections Commission to the conduct of free, fair and credible elections in 2011.