Unity Party (Liberia)
Encyclopedia
The Unity Party is a political party in Liberia
that was started in 1984 by the late Dr. Edward B. Kesselly, also its first standard bearer. The Unity Party participated the first post-1980 coup elections, running against then-President Samuel Doe
in October 1985. The Party has remained active in Liberian politics since, and is now the ruling party in the Republic.
In the previous elections held on 19 July 1997, the UP presidential candidate Ellen Johnson Sirleaf won 9.58% of the vote. The party won 7 of 64 seats in the House of Representatives
and 3 of 26 in the Senate
. While international observers deemed the polls administratively free and transparent, they noted that it had taken place in an atmosphere of intimidation because most voters believed that former rebel leader and National Patriotic Party
(NPP) candidate Charles Taylor would return to war if defeated.
Unity Party's candidate Ellen Johnson Sirleaf won the 2005 presidential elections, besting George Weah
of the Congress for Democratic Change
(CDC) in a run-off
. The party also won 3 seats in the Senate
and 8 in the House of Representatives
. The merger of the Liberia Unification Party
and the Liberian Action Party
into the Unity Party on 1 April 2009 substantially increased its representation in the Legislature.
Liberia
Liberia , officially the Republic of Liberia, is a country in West Africa. It is bordered by Sierra Leone on the west, Guinea on the north and Côte d'Ivoire on the east. Liberia's coastline is composed of mostly mangrove forests while the more sparsely populated inland consists of forests that open...
that was started in 1984 by the late Dr. Edward B. Kesselly, also its first standard bearer. The Unity Party participated the first post-1980 coup elections, running against then-President Samuel Doe
Samuel Doe
Samuel Kanyon Doe was the 21st President of Liberia, serving from 1986 until his assassination in 1990. He had previously served as Chairman of the People's Redemption Council from 1980 to 1986. He was the first indigenous head of state in Liberian history.Doe was a part of a rural tribe in inland...
in October 1985. The Party has remained active in Liberian politics since, and is now the ruling party in the Republic.
In the previous elections held on 19 July 1997, the UP presidential candidate Ellen Johnson Sirleaf won 9.58% of the vote. The party won 7 of 64 seats in the House of Representatives
House of Representatives of Liberia
The House of Representatives is the lower chamber of the bicameral Liberian Legislature. Legislative elections took place on 11 October 2005, and the elected members took office in January 2006.-Candidate eligibility:...
and 3 of 26 in the Senate
Senate of Liberia
The Senate of Liberia is the upper house of the bicameral legislative branch of Liberia, and together with the House of Representatives comprises the Legislature of Liberia...
. While international observers deemed the polls administratively free and transparent, they noted that it had taken place in an atmosphere of intimidation because most voters believed that former rebel leader and National Patriotic Party
National Patriotic Party
The National Patriotic Party is a political party in Liberia. It was formed in 1997 by members of the National Patriotic Front of Liberia following the end of the First Liberian Civil War....
(NPP) candidate Charles Taylor would return to war if defeated.
Unity Party's candidate Ellen Johnson Sirleaf won the 2005 presidential elections, besting George Weah
George Weah
George Tawlon Manneh Oppong Ousman Weah is a Liberian humanitarian and politician, and an ex-footballer. He ran unsuccessfully for president in the 2005 election, losing to Ellen Johnson Sirleaf in the second round of voting...
of the Congress for Democratic Change
Congress for Democratic Change
Congress for Democratic Change is a Liberian political party formed by supporters of George Weah's 2005 presidential candidacy.In the 11 October 2005 elections, Weah placed first in the presidential poll, winning 28.3% of the vote...
(CDC) in a run-off
Two-round system
The two-round system is a voting system used to elect a single winner where the voter casts a single vote for their chosen candidate...
. The party also won 3 seats in the Senate
Senate of Liberia
The Senate of Liberia is the upper house of the bicameral legislative branch of Liberia, and together with the House of Representatives comprises the Legislature of Liberia...
and 8 in the House of Representatives
House of Representatives of Liberia
The House of Representatives is the lower chamber of the bicameral Liberian Legislature. Legislative elections took place on 11 October 2005, and the elected members took office in January 2006.-Candidate eligibility:...
. The merger of the Liberia Unification Party
Liberia Unification Party
The Liberia Unification Party was a political party in Liberia.The party fielded candidates in the 11 October 2005 elections as part of the four-party Coalition for the Transformation of Liberia ....
and the Liberian Action Party
Liberian Action Party
The Liberian Action Party was a political party in Liberia.The party fielded candidates in the 11 October 2005 elections as part of the four-party Coalition for the Transformation of Liberia ....
into the Unity Party on 1 April 2009 substantially increased its representation in the Legislature.