MONROVIA, Liberia — For years, politicians have gamed the system during election season in Liberia, handing out food, money and clothes with promises of future largess, only to disappear behind tinted S.U.V. windows once they get into office.

But Liberians have a saying: “Cassava leaf not for goat alone.” Which means, in this case, everyone should share the wealth.

These days, as Liberians prepare for a national election on Tuesday, the electorate is turning the tables on the politicians, trying to squeeze as much cash and other freebies as they can out of the candidates before they disappear again for another six years.

In the streets of the capital, Monrovia, the young men call themselves “on loan.” For a fee — cash, food, alcohol, a T-shirt — they will appear at political rallies to swell up a crowd or simply show up on street corners to give the appearance of momentum for a candidate.