The National Elections Commission (NEC) has validated its new Communications Strategy following a high-level internal validation workshop held on 14 August 2026, marking a significant milestone in strengthening the Commission’s institutional communications, transparency and enhancing public confidence in Liberia’s electoral processes.

The validation brought together the Board of Commissioners and the leadership of the NEC Secretariat, who reviewed and endorsed the Strategy.

The Communications Strategy was developed by the NEC with technical support from the EU-funded European Partnership for Democracy and the Liberia Electoral Support Project (LESP), which is managed by UNDP and implemented in partnership with UN Women and the Netherlands Institute for Multiparty Democracy (NIMD) with funding from the European Union, Ireland and Sweden. 

Following the development of the strategy, the LESP supported a nationwide consultation process with media organizations, to ensure that it reflects both the perspectives of key electoral stakeholders and the operational realities of the Commission.

Speaking during the validation, NEC Chairperson Jonathan K. Weedor underscored the importance of strategic communication in strengthening democratic governance and public trust noting that communication from NEC has to be robust. 

“We need people to be informed about what we are doing and ensure that misinformation does not fill information gaps. Prevention is better than cure, and that requires a proactive communication strategy,” Weedor said.

Recognizing the rapidly evolving information landscape, he emphasized the need for the Commission to embrace digital transformation and modern communication tools saying with artificial intelligence, social media, and many new communication platforms, there is a need to ensure that NEC communications are responsive to the realities and continues to educate the public throughout the electoral cycle.

Weedor reaffirmed the Board’s commitment to prioritizing communication as a core institutional function and ensuring the Communications Section is adequately supported to implement the Strategy.

Samuel Cole, Deputy Director for External Relations, encouraged Commissioners and members of the Secretariat to take ownership of the document by providing candid and constructive feedback.

“This is your document. The technical team has supported its development, but your inputs are essential to ensure that the final Strategy reflects the Commission’s priorities and institutional realities,” he said.

The LESP Program Officer, Roosevelt Zayzay, highlighted the importance of effective communication in electoral management, stating that it is central to the work of every election management body.

“It enables citizens to access timely and accurate information, supports transparency and accountability, and contributes directly to public confidence in electoral processes,” he said.

Zayzay further noted that the Strategy represents more than a communications document. “It is an institutional framework that provides direction on what NEC communicates through all phases of the electoral cycle, to whom, through which channels, and who is responsible for communicating.”

The validated Strategy is the product of an inclusive, nationwide consultation process. Regional consultations held in Ganta, Buchanan, and Monrovia brought together journalists, media organizations, Election Magistrates, and NEC officials to review the draft and provide recommendations for strengthening the Commission’s communication systems.

The Communication Strategy provides a comprehensive framework for strengthening NEC’s internal and external communication, stakeholder engagement, media relations, public information, and crisis communication throughout the electoral cycle. 

It is expected to enhance transparency, improve access to electoral information, and reinforce public confidence in Liberia’s democratic institutions.

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

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