The National Elections Commission (NEC) on Tuesday, June 9, 2026, commenced a series of regional consultations on its draft Communications Strategy, Policy, and Protocol in Ganta, Nimba County.
The three-day consultation, according to a release, brought together editors, station managers, media development organizations, and NEC magistrates.
Participants reviewed and provided input on the new communication frameworks to strengthen transparency, stakeholder engagement and public access to electoral information.
The consultations form part of NEC’s efforts to modernize its communication systems, and enhance its capacity to provide timely, accurate and credible information throughout the electoral cycle in line with its new five-year strategic plan.
The initiative was implemented in collaboration with the Liberia Electoral Support Project (LESP), managed by UNDP in partnership with UN Women and the Netherlands Institute for Multiparty Democracy, with support from the European Union, Irish Aid, and the Embassy of Sweden.
NEC Executive Director, Anthony K. Sengbe, reaffirmed the Commission’s commitment to strengthen the integrity, transparency, and inclusiveness of the electoral processes through improved engagement with the media and other stakeholders.
“The media plays a key role in shaping public perception, disseminating electoral information, and promoting accountability. Electoral communication is a two-way process requiring continuous engagement between the NEC and the media. That is why we jointly reviewed the important documents.”
Press Union of Liberia (PUL) President, Julius Kanubah, commended the NEC for decentralizing the consultations and ensuring participation from media representatives across the country.
“We are pleased that the NEC has listened to the PUL and other stakeholders to decentralize this consultation.
This process provides an opportunity for journalists and media institutions to contribute to a communication framework that reflects the democratic aspirations of our country.”
Kanubah further emphasized the critical role of the media in promoting democracy and encouraged journalists to uphold the highest professional standards in covering electoral processes.
UNDP LESP Communications Specialist, Mambu James Kpargoi, highlighted the importance of strategic communication in today’s rapidly evolving information landscape.
“These documents provide a strategic framework to strengthen public outreach, media engagement, information management, crisis communication, and institutional coordination throughout the electoral cycle. Their success, however, will depend largely on stakeholder ownership and collaboration.”
Participants underscored the vital role of the media in promoting transparency, accountability, and informed citizen participation in electoral processes.
They also highlighted the growing challenges posed by misinformation and disinformation.
They then called for stronger collaboration between the NEC, media institutions, and civil society organizations to safeguard the integrity of electoral information.
In separate remarks, leaders of the Female Journalists Association of Liberia (FEJAL), Internews, the Center for Media Studies and Peacebuilding (CEMESP), and Local Voices Liberia, welcomed the initiative and expressed their commitment to provide technical input to strengthen the documents.
The consultation has moved to Monrovia and onward to Buchanan, Grand Bassa County.
The consultation is an initiative of the Liberia Electoral Support Project (LESP) managed by UNDP. It provides an important platform for dialogue and collaboration between NEC, the media, and civil society as Liberia continues to strengthen democratic governance and electoral transparency.
