With support from the European Union, the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), in collaboration with the National Elections Commission (NEC), has concluded the final regional Law Enforcement and Media Conference in Ganta, Nimba County today, marking the completion of nationwide engagements aimed at strengthening electoral integrity, enhancing community safety, and promoting peaceful and credible elections in Liberia.

The two-day conference opened yesterday on 12 January with the focus on reviewing of the Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) governing media and security engagement during the elections. 

The conference reinforced ongoing reforms aimed at strengthening electoral integrity and enhancing community safety in Liberia. It convened 47 participants, including media practitioners and officers from the Liberia National Police (LNP), Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA), and Liberia Immigration Service (LIS), representing Nimba, Bong, Lofa, Margibi, and Grand Cape Mount Counties. The conference concluded nationwide engagements across all electoral regions.

Convened by the National Elections Commission (NEC) in collaboration with UNDP through the Liberia Electoral Support Project (LESP), with support from the European Union, Irish Aid, and the Embassy of Sweden, the event was held in partnership with the Press Union of Liberia (PUL), Joint Security Agencies, and the Liberia Peacebuilding Office (PBO). It marked the third and final regional engagement, following similar conferences held in Zwedru, Grand Gedeh County, and Buchanan, Grand Bassa County.

Opening the conference, Mr. Anthony Sengbe, Executive Director of the National Elections Commission, underscored the interdependent roles of the media and security in the electoral process. He highlighted the responsibility of security forces to protect the entire electoral cycle and the media’s role in informing, educating, and holding institutions accountable, while promoting peace and stability. 

“The media and security institutions are indispensable partners in the electoral process. While security protects the entire electoral cycle, the media informs, educates, and holds all actors accountable. When these roles are performed responsibly and collaboratively, elections are conducted in a peaceful, transparent, and credible environment,” he emphasized, saying that the review of the SOPs is essential to strengthening accountability, transparency, and public confidence in Liberia’s democratic processes.”

The Deputy Commissioner of Police, Augustine K. Browne, Head of the West Africa Police Information System (WAPIS), acknowledged that historical tensions that exist between the media and the police are often fueled by mistrust and misunderstanding. He emphasized that while conflict may not be entirely avoidable, sustained collaboration between media and security institutions can significantly improve community safety.

“The media and the police ultimately share the same goals of protecting lives, property, and community safety. This conference gives us the opportunity to strengthen our relationship and improve the SOP to reflect evolving realities,” he said.

Representing the media, Mr. Julius Kanubah, President of the PUL, described the conference as a critical milestone in consolidating Liberia’s democratic gains. He recalled past incidents of confrontation between journalists and security forces during elections and stressed that the SOPs were developed precisely to prevent such occurrences.

“The media and security are two indispensable pillars of a credible electoral system. Through coordination, cooperation, and mutual respect, we can ensure peaceful elections and strengthened public trust in our democracy,” Kanubah noted, calling on both parties to uphold professionalism and the rule of law.

Delivering remarks on behalf of UNDP, Mr. Roosevelt Zayzay, Programme Officer of the Liberia Electoral Support Project (LESP), highlighted the tangible progress achieved since the SOPs were first introduced. He referenced observations from the 2023 elections, during which both national and international observers reported no major incidents of security brutality against journalists.

“This is evidence that the SOPs work. Our goal now is to refine and strengthen it further, based on your experiences, so it remains relevant and effective for future elections,” he said, reaffirming UNDP’s commitment to democratic governance in Liberia.

Also addressing the opening session, Mr. Christopher Fayiah, Deputy Executive Director of the Liberia Peacebuilding Office, emphasized his institution’s role as custodian of the SOPs and its longstanding collaboration with the NEC in conflict prevention and electoral dialogue. He noted that sustained engagement among stakeholders has contributed to Liberia’s record of peaceful elections in recent years.

In two days of the conference, participants reviewed key provisions of the SOPs, identified gaps and ambiguities, clarified media accreditation and identification procedures, strengthen dispute-resolution mechanisms, and developed strategies to prevent misinformation, disinformation, and inflammatory reporting. Special attention was given to journalists’ safety, gender considerations, and community-level coordination.

The outcomes of the Ganta conference consolidated recommendations from all three regional engagements and informed the final revision of the SOPs, contributing to peaceful, transparent, and credible elections in Liberia.

The LESP supports national institutions and processes to promote inclusive, transparent, and accountable governance. The project is managed by UNDP and implemented in partnership with UN Women, the Netherlands Institute for Multiparty Democracy (NIMD) and the NEC, with support from the European Union, Ireland, and Sweden.