To strengthen alignment with the National Elections Commission’s Strategic Plan 2026–2030, which seeks to enhance operational efficiency, strengthen accountability, and build public confidence in Liberia’s electoral processes, the NEC with support from the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) through the Liberia Electoral Support Project (LESP), ended a three-day Elections Field Operating Procedures Workshop aimed at strengthening decentralized electoral administration and promoting evidence-based decision-making across Liberia’s electoral system.

The workshop, held in Buchanan, brought together Magistrates, Assistant Magistrates, logisticians, and field coordinators from NEC magisterial offices nationwide. 

The sessions focused on enhancing field operational procedures, improving logistics coordination, strengthening reporting systems, and advancing the use of data in electoral management.

This workshop forms part of a broader nationwide capacity-strengthening initiative targeting 63 NEC personnel, including magistrates, assistant magistrates, logisticians, and field coordinators. 

A key highlight of the workshop was NEC’s expanding use of electoral data and scientific analysis to improve election administration. Participants reviewed findings from the marked ballot paper analysis conducted during the 2023 elections, as well as insights from the recent Nimba County by-election pilot.

The analysis demonstrated how evidence collected at polling stations can be translated into actionable insights to enhance voter education, operational planning, and resource allocation. Findings revealed specific ballot-marking patterns, helping identify communities where targeted civic and voter education interventions are most needed.

The workshop also reinforced NEC’s commitment to decentralization as a core element of electoral reform. Under the evolving decentralized model, magistrates will play a leading role in collecting electoral data, interpreting local trends, and implementing tailored, context-specific solutions within their communities.

Speaking at the workshop, NEC Executive Director Mr. Anthony K. Sengbe emphasized the importance of decentralization in improving institutional effectiveness saying,“When decentralized operations work, it strengthens our institution, improves efficiency, and ensures that the NEC remains effective, resilient, and trusted at all times—not only on election day.”

He noted that decentralization enables the Commission to deliver elections more cost-effectively while improving service delivery and responsiveness at the local level.

Enhancing Operational Systems and Accountability

The workshop provided a platform for participants to contribute to the review and refinement of NEC’s Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) for field operations. The revised SOPs are expected to:

• Establish harmonized workflows across all electoral operations;

• Strengthen accountability and oversight mechanisms;

• Improve logistics planning and management;

• Clarify reporting and coordination structures between headquarters and magisterial offices.

Participants engaged in practical exercises, group discussions, and experience-sharing sessions designed to strengthen consistency and efficiency in electoral administration across counties and districts.

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, and the National Elections Commission, with support from the European Union, Ireland, and Sweden.