The National Elections Commission (NEC) in collaboration with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), convened the second session of the Law Enforcement and Media Conference to review the Standard Operating Procedures (SOP) governing media and security engagement during elections.

The two-day conference, held in Buchanan, Grand Bassa County on 5^th and 6^th January brought together 52 participants from the Liberia National Police (LNP), the Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA), the Liberia Immigration Service (LIS), and media practitioners from Sinoe, Rivercess, Bomi, Gbarpolu, and Grand Bassa Counties. 

The conference was implemented by UNDP under the Liberia Electoral Support Project (LESP) with support from the European Union, Irish Aid and Sweden in partnership with NEC, the LNP, and the Press Union of Liberia (PUL). It follows the first regional engagement held in Zwedru, Grand Gedeh County, in December 2025, and precedes the final regional conference scheduled to take place in Ganta, Nimba County this year.

The Executive Director of the National Elections Commission, Mr. Anthony Sengbe, highlighted the interconnected roles of the NEC, media, and security institutions across the entire electoral cycle. 

He stressed that elections are not single-day events but continuous processes requiring sustained collaboration. Drawing from the best international practices, he emphasized that proactive engagement ahead of election day enables effective reporting and security coverage.

Speaking at the opening, Mr. Augustine K. Browne, Head of the West Africa Police Information System at the LNP, urged participants to use the conference as a platform for constructive engagement. He underscored the importance of practical outcomes that would enhance professionalism and cooperation between media and law enforcement during electoral processes.

Mr. Julius Kanubah, the PUL President, described the conference as a critical step toward consolidating electoral integrity in Liberia. He noted that while the media and security institutions are indispensable pillars of credible elections, tensions have historically risen at times due to roles misunderstanding and operational gaps.

“The SOP exists to guide and strengthen the relationship between the media and the police before, during, and after elections,” Mr. Kanubah said, calling on both journalists and security officers to uphold mutual respect, the rule of law, and freedom of expression as cornerstones of Liberia’s democracy.

Delivering remarks on behalf of UNDP, Mr. Roosevelt Zayzay, LESP Program Officer, reaffirmed UNDP’s commitment to supporting Liberia’s democratic consolidation. He underscored that the conference provides a critical opportunity for stakeholders to review and improve the SOP based on real operational experiences.

“Our purpose here is to strengthen relationships, improve coordination, and ensure that both the media and security institutions are better prepared to contribute to peaceful and credible elections,” he said.

The Buchanan conference builds on recommendations and lessons emerging from previous consultations, including the need to clarify media accreditation and identification procedures; improve coordination, communication, and joint planning between media and security agencies; prevent misinformation, disinformation, and inflammatory reporting; and create a safer and more enabling environment for journalists covering elections.

During the two days training, participants reviewed specific provisions of the SOP, identify gaps and ambiguities, and propose practical revisions aimed at improving its application in future electoral processes, including the 2029 general elections.

The outcomes of these discussions informed the consolidation of recommendations from all three regional conferences, that then be incorporated into a revised set of procedures, contributing to a strengthened SOP that supports peaceful, transparent, and credible elections in Liberia.

The Liberia Electoral Support Project (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 and the National Elections Commission, with funding support from the European Union, Ireland, and Sweden.