–Electoral Authorities, Media Practitioners, and Development Partners Push for Greater Collaboration to Safeguard Electoral Integrity
GANTA, Nimba County – The National Elections Commission of Liberia (NEC-Liberia) has reaffirmed its commitment to strengthening collaboration with the media as part of ongoing efforts to promote transparency, accountability, and public confidence in the country’s electoral processes.
The commitment was highlighted at the opening of Phase One of the Regional Media-Elections Workshop in Ganta, Nimba County, held under the theme: “Strengthening Media and Electoral Integrity.”
The three-day workshop brings together journalists, election administrators, communications experts, and development partners to examine ways of improving electoral communication, combating misinformation, and enhancing public awareness ahead of future electoral activities.
Speaking during the opening ceremony, NEC Executive Director and Head of Secretariat, Anthony K. Sengbe, described the media as one of the Commission’s most important stakeholders, emphasizing its critical role in informing citizens, promoting civic engagement, shaping public opinion, and strengthening democratic accountability.
According to Sengbe, the workshop forms part of broader efforts to review and refine the Commission’s draft Communications Strategy, Policy, and Protocols while deepening cooperation between electoral authorities and the media.
He identified misinformation, disinformation, limited public understanding of electoral procedures, and weak communication between electoral stakeholders and media institutions as major challenges that could undermine public trust and electoral stability if not adequately addressed.
“The media remains a vital partner in ensuring that citizens receive accurate, timely, and credible information about electoral processes,” Sengbe noted, adding that stronger collaboration is essential to preserving the integrity of Liberia’s democracy.
UNDP Encourages Active Participation
Also speaking at the event, James Kpargoi, Communications Specialist with the United Nations Development Programme’s Liberia Electoral Support Project (UNDP-LESP), encouraged participants to actively contribute to the development of NEC’s communications framework.
Kpargoi stressed the importance of building on previous achievements made through partnerships between electoral institutions, the media, and development partners to improve public communication and stakeholder engagement.
He noted that an effective communications strategy is critical to strengthening voter confidence and ensuring broader public participation in democratic processes.
PUL, Media Partners Call for Stronger Support
For his part, Julius Kanubah, President of the Press Union of Liberia (PUL), joined representatives from partner organizations in calling for greater support to strengthen professional media coverage of elections across the country.
Representatives from Internews, Local Voices Liberia, the Female Journalists Association of Liberia (FEJAL), and the Center for Media Studies and Peacebuilding (CEMESP) echoed similar sentiments, emphasizing the need for continuous training and capacity-building opportunities for journalists covering electoral issues.
The organizations stressed that responsible and informed election reporting remains critical to maintaining public trust, combating misinformation, and ensuring peaceful democratic participation.
Journalists and Election Magistrates Gather
The workshop has assembled approximately 14 journalists representing community radio stations and other media institutions from eight counties, alongside 10 NEC Election Magistrates from various parts of the country.
Participants are engaging in interactive discussions and technical sessions designed to strengthen their understanding of election administration, media responsibilities, and effective public communication strategies.
Topics being discussed include media literacy, media mapping, accreditation procedures, the legal framework governing elections and media operations, democracy and press freedom, misinformation and disinformation management, and responsible election reporting.
Organizers believe the training will enhance cooperation between journalists and election officials while promoting more accurate and balanced reporting on electoral issues.
EU and UNDP Back Electoral Communication Efforts
The workshop is being implemented by NEC’s Communications Section through the UNDP Liberia Electoral Support Project (UNDP-LESP) with financial support from the European Union (EU).
The initiative forms part of ongoing efforts to strengthen Liberia’s democratic institutions and improve communication between electoral authorities and citizens.
At the conclusion of the workshop, participating journalists are expected to adopt and sign a communiqué reaffirming their collective commitment to promoting voter education, increasing public awareness of electoral processes, encouraging civic participation, and supporting peaceful democratic engagement.
Second Phase Scheduled for Buchanan
Meanwhile, organizers have announced that Phase Two of the Regional Media-Elections Workshop will take place from June 17–19, 2026, in Buchanan, Grand Bassa County.
The second phase is expected to bring together another group of media managers, editors, election officials, and key stakeholders to continue discussions on strengthening media engagement and safeguarding electoral integrity.
Officials say the two-phase initiative underscores the NEC’s determination to build stronger partnerships with the media and ensure that voters across Liberia receive accurate, credible, and timely information about electoral processes.
As Liberia continues to strengthen its democratic institutions, stakeholders believe closer collaboration between election authorities and the media will remain essential to fostering transparency, public trust, and inclusive participation in the country’s electoral system.
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