An outsider's cursory view of the Liberian political process.

Some random pics in Monrovia during the run up to the Constitutional Referendum and the Presidential Election of 2011.

Gathering in support of their political party.

UN is still very much a presence, despite no real violence - or, imho, a serious threat of any large scale violence - during the political process.  Hard to say how much of that is simply due to the deterrent nature of the UN still being here, though...

Political marches, obviously.

Here less for the political implications and more for the "this is how people get around in Liberia" connotations. 

"Are you better off today?" remains a trite political means of manipulation, regardless of country, clime or place.

"Ballots Not Bullets" I call the Low Liberian Bar of Expectations.  

Outside the National Elections Commission HQ.

The current President's campaign slogan is something along the lines of "Monkey still working, baboon wait small."  The meaning having to do with letting the industrious folks who began the rebuilding finish their efforts before changing course.  Now, I'm not sure if that's supposed to be the monkey or the baboon getting crucified up there, but still, you know...  that's some full bore crazy you can only get at the intersection of religion and politics.

Allow me to direct your attention to the lower right corner of the photo.  To the gentleman in the wizard hat.  With the horns.  I will vote for whoever he votes for.  That is all.

Monrovia.