IPNEWS: There are moments in a nation’s democratic journey where reflection becomes just as important as action. This week in Monrovia, the National Elections Commission (NEC) embraced such a moment, one defined by honesty, collaboration, and a shared commitment to building a stronger electoral future for Liberia.
On 2 March, the NEC, supported by UNDP through the Liberia Electoral Support Project with funding from the European Union, Sweden and Ireland, convened a high-level workshop unlike any other.
Not to launch a new initiative. Not to announce a policy shift, but to look inward to review what has been learned, what still needs attention, and how the institution can be strengthened to deliver even more credible, inclusive, and cost-effective elections in 2029.
A Day of Reflection, Ownership, and Recommitment
Commissioners, senior managers, and technical teams came together to revisit the recommendations from the 2022 Organizational and Capacity Needs Assessment as well as insights from the 2023 observer and lessons-learned reports.
The energy in the room was about reflection, honest conversation, and a shared resolve to strengthen the institution by asking:
- What have we done well?
- Where have we fallen short?
- And what must we do collectively to be ready for 2029?
Leadership That Sets the Tone
NEC Co-Chairperson, Cllr. Teplah Reeves opened the session with a powerful message. This was not just a compliance exercise. It was a strategic moment of ownership—a chance for the NEC to take charge of its reform agenda, strengthen internal systems, and ensure that recommendations translate into real, measurable change.
She emphasized the value of honest dialogue, collective responsibility, and institutional discipline, all ingredients essential to delivering elections that Liberia can truly be proud of.
Insights From Partners Who Believe in Liberia’s Democratic Future
Representing the European Union, Dr. Anna Brzozowska added depth and cultural context. She recalled a recent event where Liberian poets and writers described elections as more than political processes. They saw them as instruments of national identity, weaving together diverse voices into one collective story.
She praised the NEC for delivering commendable elections and reaffirmed the EU’s ongoing commitment, including an upcoming follow-up mission to build on its previous observation work.
Speaking on behalf of UNDP and the Liberia Electoral Support Project, Ms. Katherine Green delivered a timely reminder. “Election management bodies must use the years between elections wisely. The interelection period is where institutional resilience is built,” she said. Her message was clear. 2029 may feel far away, but the preparation starts now.
Hard Conversations, Practical Solutions
The workshop was hands-on. Participants broke into groups to:
- Revisit each recommendation
- Assess what has been done
- Examine barriers to implementation
- Identify what must happen next
The energy reflected a shared commitment to move beyond reports and transform insights into action and action into impact.
Direct Inputs Into a Larger Transformation
As part of the ongoing comprehensive capacity assessment, this workshop fed real-time insights into a broader institutional review that includes:
- Document analysis
- Consultations with leadership
- Field visits to magistrate offices
- Engagement with political parties, CSOs, and development partners
The final outcome will be a set of strategic, policy, and technical recommendations designed to help NEC become more effective, more sustainable, and more cost-efficient, so it can continue delivering elections that reinforce national cohesion and democratic governance.
Building the NEC of the Future
The Liberia Electoral Support Project implemented by UNDP in partnership with UN Women, NIMD, and the NEC, and supported by the EU, Ireland, and Sweden remains a critical force in strengthening governance and accountability.
But ultimately, the most important progress is happening inside the NEC itself. NEC chooses reflection over routine, strategy over complacency, and partnership over isolation.
The road to 2029 has begun and the NEC is charting it with purpose, clarity, and determination.
