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The National Elections Commission (NEC) of Liberia has begun formulating a new five-year Strategic Plan to outline its priorities and guide operations from 2026 to 2031. By: Kruah Thompson Buchanan, Grand Bassa County: October 27, 2025: Once finalized, the Strategic Plan will serve as a roadmap for strengthening Liberia’s electoral system and promoting institutional growth as the country gradually moves toward the 2029 general elections. On May 22 and 23, the National Elections Commission (NEC) leadership took part in a BRIDGE (Building Resources in Democracy, Governance, and Elections) introductory workshop in Buchanan, Grand Bassa County. The workshop, jointly funded by NEC and UNDP Liberia under the Liberia Electoral Support Project (LESP), brought together 25 officials, including members of the Board of Commissioners (BoC), and senior managers, the Executive Director, Deputy Executive Directors, and representatives from UNDP Liberia to discuss the objectives and procedures for shaping NEC’s strategic direction over the next six years and to build institutional commitment to this critical process. It was designed to set clear, measurable goals to initiate the development of a new six-year Strategic Plan that will ensure transparent, credible, and inclusive elections for the Liberian people in 2029. During the workshop, NEC Executive Director and Head of Secretariat, Anthony K. Sengbe, described the draft Strategic Plan as a roadmap for consistently delivering credible, transparent, and inclusive elections for Liberians. He highlighted that the 2023 General Elections marked a critical milestone, particularly with the successful introduction of Biometric Voter Registration (BVR), which demonstrates the Commission’s ability to innovate and adapt. “This achievement is not merely a milestone but a foundation upon which the Commission can continue to build a stronger future,” Mr. Sengbe said. He reminded members of the BoC and Secretariat executives that the Commission has the capacity for progress. He also emphasized the need for collective effort to sustain and build upon past successes. Reflecting on evolving technological advancements and the dynamic political landscape of election management, Mr. Sengbe noted that these changes offer the NEC opportunities to lead innovation in electoral processes. “We are not merely reacting to these changes; we are positioning ourselves to lead thereby, ensuring that our processes remain not only relevant but exemplary,” he stressed. Mr. Sengbe called on the BoC members and Secretariat executives to embrace collaboration, commit to continuous improvement, and recognize that they are not just managing elections but safeguarding Liberia’s democratic future. As part of the draft Strategic Plan, he says the NEC Secretariat aims to embed key principles, including inclusiveness, innovation, accountability, transparency, and technology-driven operations. He also envisioned “an electoral commission where candidates can conveniently register from their homes, offices, or even abroad, and a fully digitalized Electoral Management Body (EMB) where domestic and international observers, as well as party agents, can be accredited online to participate in the process.” Speaking on behalf of UNDP-Liberia, Program Officer Roservelt Zayzay urged the Commission to streamline its electoral budget, noting that global funding is expected to decrease gradually. - Edited by Othello B. Garblah.
