General elections were held in Liberia on 19 July 1997 as part of the 1996 peace agreement ending the First Liberian Civil War.

[1] Former rebel leader Charles Taylor and his National Patriotic Party (NPP) won the election with 75.3% of the vote, giving it about three-quarters of the legislative seats according to the proportional representation system.

During 1984 a new draft constitution was approved in a referendum, which allowed a 58-member civilian and military combined Interim National Assembly, headed by President Samuel Doe.

[1] The period after the elections saw increased human rights abuses, corruption, and ethnic tensions, ultimately leading to the start of the First Liberian Civil War in 1989 and Doe's overthrow and murder in 1990.

There were various treaties signed to bring peace to Liberia, namely, the Cotonou Accord on 25 July 1993, the Akosombo Agreement on 12 August 1994, and its Accra Clarification.

Each member represents an electoral district and elected to a six-year term based on popular vote.

[8] The logistical challenges were worsened by the agreement for immediate elections, as most Liberian infrastructure was lost in the civil war.

[9] The final results were announced in August, which gave an overwhelming majority to NPP both in the House and Senate.