In a significant step toward strengthening Liberia’s national identification system, the National Elections Commission (NEC) on Wednesday officially handed over 500 Biometric Voter Registration (BVR) kits to the National Identification Registry (NIR).
The official turning-over ceremony took place at the NEC Headquarters on 9th Street in Sinkor, Monrovia, following the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the two institutions. The initiative aims to support the NIR in enhancing citizens’ registration across the country.
NEC Chairperson Madam Davidetta Browne Lansanah signed on behalf of the Commission, while NIR Executive Director Andrew Peters represented his agency. All seven members of the NEC Board of Commissioners (BOC) were present for the event.
The ceremony was witnessed by several senior government officials, including Minister of Internal Affairs Francis Nyumalin, Civil Service Agency Executive Director Josiah Joekai, Governance Commission Chair Professor Alaric Togba, and House of Representatives Chairperson on Elections and Inauguration, Representative Romeo Quiah. Representatives from international partners such as UNDP Liberia and the European Union were also in attendance.
Speaking at the event, Madam Lansanah highlighted the importance of inter-agency cooperation and praised the NIR’s efforts to streamline national identity services. “This handover is not just about equipment; it’s about enhancing national capacity and improving services for the Liberian people,” she said.
Executive Director Peters noted the significance of the donation, citing the BVR kits as critical tools in expanding citizen enrollment in the National Biometric Identification System. He previously paid a courtesy visit to NEC to advance the technical partnership now solidified by the MoU.
The ceremony, held in the James M. Fromayan Hall at NEC headquarters, marks a new chapter of collaboration between NEC and NIR, with the potential to improve public service delivery and promote transparency in identity management nationwide.
