Beyond election financing, the Commission has proposed a fresh biometric voter registration exercise rather than simply verifying, and updating the 2023 final registration roll.
Authorities at the National Elections Commission (NEC) has submitted a proposed budget of slightly more than US$72 million to the government by 31 October.
The money, if acquired, will finance the 2029 elections.
NEC has meanwhile, called for “predictable” national funding, and development assistance that will strengthen local expertise, and institutional capacity.
The proposed budget, according to a release, will cover pre-electoral activities, election operations, and post-electoral activities.
NEC Chairperson, Jonathan K. Weedor, made the disclosure on Wednesday, 21, when he delivered an address at the induction ceremony of the Commission’s newly appointed executive director, Attorney Joseph A. Yarsiah.
Weedor emphasized the need for a timely financial commitment to prepare for the 2029 elections. The proposal includes fresh biometric voter registration exercise; scheduled for January to March 2028.
He also delivered a message to development partners, when he stressed the need for international assistance that will prioritize sustainable institutional development, national expertise, and capacity-building opportunities for professionals.
Weedor: “Symposiums cannot become the recurrent activities of donor assistance. International consultancy cannot become the major focus of donor funding without due consideration of national expertise.”
He meanwhile, called for greater investment in the professional development of NEC personnel, including the use of regional and sub-regional training opportunities to strengthen technical knowledge, and operational capacity.
Weeddor welcomed the government willingness to strengthen financial support for the 2029 elections. He described predictable, and timely national funding as “indispensable to the successful conduct of credible elections.”
Beyond election financing, the Commission has proposed a fresh biometric voter registration exercise rather than simply verifying, and updating the 2023 final registration roll.
The proposed exercise is to form part of the preparations for the 2029 electoral process.
For Yarsiah, he pledged to lead NEC Secretariat with passion, commitment, and steadfastness.
His appointment followed a selection, and vetting process that received the requisite two-thirds majority vote of the Board of Commissioners in accordance with Section 2.19 of the New Elections Law, as amended in 2014.
He brings 19 years of experience in electoral administration, having served NEC director of procurement, and director of political affairs.
The induction ceremony was attended by all NEC Commissioners, and representatives of the UNDP Liberia Electoral Support Project, the Inter-Party Consultative Committee, civil society organizations, and the Press Union of Liberia.
As preparations for the 2029 elections take shape, the Commission has emphasized the importance of coordinated national financing, effective development partnerships, and investment in Liberian expertise to support the electoral process.
