Smell that? It's the smell of democracy.

Hey, representative government fans - it's Election Day!

No, not in the U.S. (well yes, it's election day here too), but in Liberia they're also off to the polls today.

Specifically, it's the Presidential run-off election between soccer star George Weah and World Banker Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf.

The two runoff candidates, who topped a field of 22 contenders last month, in many ways represent the two faces of Africa today. Mr. Weah is the favored choice of a growing youth population disenchanted with the politics and leadership of the old guard. Ms. Johnson-Sirleaf, on the other hand, is a skilled technocrat with strong ties to the tiny, educated elite that has dominated politics in many African countries since the end of the colonial period.

For more than a decade, Liberia was trapped in a brutal cycle of civil war, fomented by the warlord-turned-president, Charles Taylor, who was forced from office in 2003 by a rebel insurgency.
...
The first round of voting on Oct. 11 was declared free and fair by international observers, and drew nearly 75 percent of registered voters nationwide to the polls. With hundreds of candidates on the ballot for legislative posts as well as the 22 presidential candidates, voting was slow and lengthy lines formed.

Those lines were much shorter today, leading some to believe turnout was lower. Workers at some polling stations, however, said the shorter lines were due to the simpler ballot, not fewer people voting.

I think we definitely chalk up an assist for Team USA on this one.  We've spent millions of dollars to help ensure Liberia's elections are free, fair, and transparent.

From a U.S. Embassy press release:

“There is today no clearer testament of our commitment to democracy and democratic values, than the work we are presently engaged in throughout Liberia,” said U.S. Ambassador Donald Booth. “The October elections were a dramatic statement to the world that the Liberian people will only accept leaders who work toward a peaceful, prosperous, and democratic future for all Liberians. The United States wants this desire to be realized and has decided to dedicate even more resources to ensure that Tuesday’s elections will be free and fair.”