Presidential candidates seeking to contest Liberia’s 2029 General Elections could be required to pay US$10,000 in registration fees under a proposed electoral reform package being advanced by the National Elections Commission (NEC).
The proposal represents a significant increase from the current US$2,500 presidential candidate registration fee, with the NEC also seeking substantial increases for candidates contesting other major elective positions.
NEC Chairperson Jonathan Weedor, speaking Wednesday on ELBC Radio’s Super Morning Show, disclosed the proposed fee adjustments as part of a broader reform agenda aimed at strengthening Liberia’s electoral system ahead of the 2029 elections.
Under the proposed structure, the presidential registration fee would rise from US$2,500 to US$10,000, while the vice-presidential fee would increase from US$1,500 to US$7,000.
For legislative candidates, the proposed fees would rise from US$700 to US$5,000 for senators and from US$500 to US$3,000 for representatives.
The proposed changes are among several reforms the NEC says are intended to improve the administration, regulation and credibility of Liberia’s electoral process.
Weedor said the Commission is pursuing a comprehensive transformation of the electoral system, including greater use of technology, stronger regulation of political parties and improved institutional capacity.
He disclosed that the NEC is working toward a fully digitized electoral process by 2029, including biometric technology to verify voters on Election Day.
“Our goal is to transform the NEC into a fully digitized institution to improve efficiency, transparency, and the management of electoral activities,” Weedor said.
According to him, biometric verification would strengthen voter identification and reduce opportunities for electoral fraud and other irregularities.
The NEC also plans to deploy modern communication technologies, including Starlink, to support electoral operations in parts of Liberia where internet connectivity remains limited.
“We will use Starlink for electoral activities across the country to enable us to have credible elections,” Weedor said.
The NEC is also reviewing the status of political parties operating in Liberia.
Weedor said the country currently has 49 registered political parties, with two reportedly expected to be decertified.
He said the Commission is assessing whether political parties continue to satisfy the legal and regulatory requirements for certification.
Political parties that fail to meet those requirements could be decertified, according to the NEC Chairperson.
Weedor said his broader objective is to establish a more professional, efficient and credible electoral institution capable of managing Liberia’s increasingly complex electoral processes.
“My vision for the NEC is to expand and strengthen its institutional infrastructure,” he said.
“I want to build an institution that is vibrant and credible, with a good workforce. We want to train our workforce.”
He said continuous training and capacity-building would be prioritized to ensure NEC employees have the skills necessary to effectively administer future elections.
The Commission is also advocating changes to Liberia’s electoral laws aimed at increasing women’s participation in politics.
Weedor said the NEC is pushing for provisions that would promote at least 30 percent women’s participation in political and electoral processes.
He argued that greater participation by women would contribute to a more representative and inclusive democratic system.
Weedor further called for stronger and more sustainable financial support from the national government.
“We want the national government to fund the NEC,” he said.
According to him, adequate financing is critical to enabling the Commission to invest in technology, infrastructure, staff training and other areas necessary for credible elections.
Meanwhile, Weedor clarified reports concerning an alleged vacancy in Montserrado County Electoral District #10.
He said the NEC has not received any formal communication from the House of Representatives notifying the Commission of a vacancy in the district.
The clarification comes amid discussions surrounding the status of the seat and possible steps toward filling it.
