When It’s Just Too Expensive to Hold Elections

According to a BBC article published today, Liberia simply cannot afford to hold local polls. At this point, Liberian municipal elections have not been held in 23 years. Between multiple civil wars and the government’s financial troubles, local elections have turned into a luxury the government can’t afford.
Liberia’s Supreme Court handed down a judgment that the Liberian president can appoint local mayors until the country can afford to hold elections, but that decision is being challenged by the United People’s Party, the opposition to President Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf’s ruling party.