Something powerful is happening in Liberia right now quietly, diligently, and with a determination that speaks to a nation ready to strengthen its democracy.

Last week, the National Elections Commission (NEC) took a bold and necessary step. It launched a comprehensive capacity assessment, supported by UNDP through the Liberia Electoral Support Project. And while “capacity assessment” may sound technical, the story behind it is deeply human and deeply important.

Because this is about the 2029 elections and it’s about ensuring those elections are credible, inclusive, and sustainably managed by Liberia’s own institutions.

A Strategic Moment for Liberia’s Democracy

As the NEC finalizes its new Strategic Plan (2026–2030)—a roadmap guiding the next five years—this assessment arrives at a pivotal moment. It’s more than a checklist. It’s an honest look in the mirror to ask:

• Where are we strong?

• Where do we need to grow?

• What will it take to manage future elections with greater confidence, efficiency, and independence?

And most importantly, how do we build an electoral institution that remains strong long after the projects and partners rotate?

The Team Behind the Work

Leading this deep dive is a blended team of experts. Hannah Roberts and Ian Smith, senior international electoral advisors with global experience, and Dala Korkoyah, Liberia’s own specialist in monitoring, evaluation, and learning.

Together, they aren’t just writing reports, they’re listening. They’re asking tough questions. And they’re building a shared understanding of what the NEC needs to deliver elections that citizens trust.

A Nationwide Effort

The assessment goes far beyond office walls in Monrovia. The team has been:

• Reviewing years of documents, lessons, and electoral insights

• Engaging NEC leadership and staff—from senior officials to county-level teams

• Visiting Magistrate Offices outside Monrovia to understand realities on the ground

• Listening to political parties, CSOs, government institutions, and development partners

• Triangulating data to ensure the findings are not just accurate—but fair

Because democracy is not built in isolation. It requires coordination, partnership, resilience, and transparency.

What’s Being Assessed?

Everything that strengthens or challenges the NEC’s ability to manage elections is under review, including:

• Human resources and professional development

• Internal systems, workflows, and coordination between NEC units

• External engagement with institutions that support election delivery

• Risk factors, operational, financial, and institutional

• Sustainability and cost-effectiveness of election operations

• The shifting donor landscape and stakeholder expectations

This is a holistic, honest, future-focused analysis.

Part of a Larger Transformation

This capacity assessment aligns with and reinforces other reforms already underway:

• A comprehensive ICT assessment

• A review of civic and voter education

• A gender and inclusion analysis of electoral policies (with UN Women)

Together, these efforts paint a picture of an institution preparing not just for the next election—but for the next generation.

Why This Matters

Liberia’s democracy is still young, but it is resilient and resilient democracies need resilient institutions.

By looking in-ward today, the NEC is ensuring it will be stronger tomorrow. More transparent, more efficient, more accountable, and more capable of delivering elections that reflect the will of the people.

This is what sustainable democracy looks like—commitment, reflection, partnership, and growth.

And as Liberia moves steadily toward the 2029 General Elections, this work will shape a future where every Liberian can cast their vote with confidence.

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