By Morlu F. Freeman Sr.
The National Elections Commission (NEC), in partnership with the European Union and UNDP, held a one-day electoral reform consultation in Voinjama City, Lofa County, aimed at addressing challenges within the Commission’s operations.
NEC Executive Director Hon. Anthony K. Sangbe explained that the consultation was designed to give citizens an active role in shaping electoral reform laws.
He noted that such engagement strengthens the Commission’s ability to conduct free, fair, and credible elections.
Participants presented several key recommendations to the Liberian government through the NEC, including:
Enhanced Stakeholder Engagement: Maintain consistent dialogue with diverse groups—women, youth, and persons with disabilities—to ensure inclusive participation in the electoral process.
Legislative Reforms: Review and strengthen existing electoral laws, particularly those governing campaign finance, to promote greater transparency and accountability.
Voter Education: Expand voter education efforts to help citizens better understand their rights, responsibilities, and the overall electoral process.
Inclusion of Marginalized Groups: Create targeted measures to boost the participation of women, people with disabilities, and other marginalized groups as both voters and candidates.
Improved Electoral Infrastructure: Increase the number of voting centers and modernize electoral technology to improve accessibility and efficiency.
Election Security: Work closely with security agencies to safeguard voters, polling staff, and electoral materials throughout the election period.
Monitoring and Evaluation: Develop strong systems for monitoring and evaluating electoral activities to enhance transparency and build public trust.
The workshop brought together key local stakeholders and highlighted the shared commitment to strengthening Liberia’s democratic processes through inclusive and meaningful electoral reforms.
