The Government of Liberia, through the Ministry of Justice, on Tuesday, March 17, 2026, convened the fifth meeting of the High-Level Coordination Platform on Elections, reaffirming its commitment to advancing electoral reforms, strengthening partnerships, and safeguarding democratic resilience across the country.

The Platform, chaired by the Minister of Justice and co‑chaired by the UN Resident Coordinator and the ECOWAS Resident Representative, continues to serve as Liberia’s premier space for strategic dialogue, joint problem‑solving, and coordinated support throughout the full electoral cycle.

Representatives from the National Elections Commission (NEC), diplomatic partners, and development organizations participated.

Opening the session, Cllr. J. Augustine Toe, Deputy Minister of Justice for Codification and Acting Chair, expressed profound appreciation to partners for their steadfast collaboration.

He extended special recognition to outgoing ECOWAS Resident Representative Josephine Nkrumah for her “tremendous contribution to Liberia’s democracy,” adding “On behalf of the people of Liberia and the President, we say thank you for your steadfast support to our democratic journey.”

He also commended outgoing NEC Chairperson Davidetta Browne Lansanah for her distinguished leadership and service in strengthening electoral governance over more than a decade.

ECOWAS Reaffirms Strong Regional Support

In her remarks, Ambassador Josephine Nkrumah reaffirmed ECOWAS’s commitment to supporting Liberia’s electoral preparedness—including the critical upcoming boundary delimitation exercise.

Reflecting on her tenure, she emphasized “Elections in our region are often critical moments, and strong partnerships are essential to ensuring stability. Liberia has demonstrated that through collaboration, transparency, and commitment, democratic processes can be strengthened.”

The UN Resident Coordinator Christine Umutoni highlighted how the Platform has evolved into a durable mechanism for ongoing engagement, not just during elections but throughout the entire electoral cycle.

“This platform is not just about elections, it is about the entire electoral cycle. It provides a space for transparent dialogue, alignment of efforts, and collective problem‑solving,” she stated.

Commending Liberia’s steady democratic progress, she noted “Liberia stands as an example in the region for peaceful elections and democratic consolidation. This is not something we take for granted.”

She also expressed appreciation to Ambassador Nkrumah and madam Browne Lansanah, underscoring their leadership in advancing electoral integrity, inclusion, and public trust.

Providing a comprehensive update, outgoing NEC Chairperson Davidetta Browne Lansanah detailed significant progress in electoral reforms and institutional strengthening.

Key achievements include:

• Completion of NEC’s 2026–2030 Strategic Plan

• Ongoing legal reform consultations

• Boundary delimitation preparations

• Establishment of the Inter‑Party Consultative Committee Secretariat

• Strengthening of internal governance structures

Madam Brown Lansanah highlighted the successful deployment of ceramic thumbprint pads secured through collaboration with the Electoral Commission of Ghana—during the Nimba County District #5 by‑election. 

The innovation significantly reduced spoiled ballots, demonstrating the value of regional cooperation.

“The Commission is in a period of deliberate institutional renewal—strengthening leadership, refining the legal framework, enhancing operational systems, and deepening stakeholder collaboration,” she stated.

Acknowledgment of Key Partners 

The meeting recognized the contributions of the outgoing UN Women Representative Comfort Lamptey and noted the conclusion of the EU‑funded AHEAD Project, which has provided essential support to inclusive, peaceful, and transparent electoral processes.

The High-Level Coordination Platform remains a cornerstone of Liberia’s democratic architecture—building trust, accountability, and unified action among national institutions and international partners.

The Liberia Electoral Support Project, which provides Secretariat assistance to the Platform, is managed by UNDP in partnership with UN Women, the Netherlands Institute for Multiparty Democracy, and the NEC, with funding from the European Union, Ireland, and Sweden.

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