MONROVIA — The United Nations Development Program (UNDP) has reaffirmed its commitment to supporting Liberia’s electoral process and democratic governance during a courtesy visit to the Acting Chairperson of the National Elections Commission (NEC), Jonathan Weedor, at the Commission’s headquarters in Monrovia.
The UNDP delegation was led by Resident Representative Aliou Mamadou Dia, accompanied by Deputy Resident Representative Louis Kuukpen.
The visit underscored the longstanding partnership between the UNDP and the NEC, while reinforcing ongoing collaboration aimed at strengthening democratic governance, advancing electoral reforms, enhancing institutional capacity, and promoting the digital transformation of Liberia’s electoral system.
UNDP Praises Liberia’s Democratic Progress
During the meeting, Mr. Dia congratulated Weedor on his appointment and assured the NEC of the UNDP’s continued support.
“We are here to assure you of our full commitment to working with the entire Commission,” Dia stated. “Liberia set an example for the world during the 2023 general elections with a peaceful democratic transition. We want to build on that momentum.”
He noted that the UNDP, alongside partners including the European Union, Sweden, Ireland, and UN Women, remains committed to supporting credible, inclusive, and transparent elections in Liberia.
According to Dia, Liberia’s peaceful democratic transition following the 2023 elections significantly strengthened international confidence in the country’s democratic institutions.
“It is not always that people believe elections in Africa will lead to peaceful transfers of power, but Liberia demonstrated democratic maturity in 2023,” he added.
Focus on Electoral Reforms and Digitalization
For his part, Deputy Resident Representative Louis Kuukpen emphasized the need to sustain electoral reforms ahead of the 2029 elections and adapt to evolving global trends in election management.
“Elections are transforming, and electoral management institutions must evolve with changing realities,” Kuukpen said. “The reforms underway are critical to laying the foundation for credible and transparent elections in the future.”
He also stressed the importance of continued engagement through the National Elections Steering Committee and deeper collaboration between the NEC and development partners.
NEC Commends UNDP’s Historic Support
Responding, Acting NEC Chairperson Jonathan Weedor acknowledged the historic role the UNDP has played in rebuilding Liberia’s electoral system since the end of the civil conflict.
“UNDP and the NEC are not strangers,” Weedor said. “Following the civil conflict, UNDP played a critical role in transforming Liberia’s electoral system, from voter registration reforms to staff training and broader institutional support.”
He pledged to strengthen cooperation with UNDP and other international partners during his tenure.
“Under my chairmanship, the relationship will continue to grow stronger,” he stated. “Our goal is to strengthen the electoral process and ensure that Liberia remains a voice for democracy in West Africa.”
Three Priorities for NEC Leadership
Weedor outlined three key priorities for the NEC moving forward:
- Advancing electoral reforms
- Strengthening engagement with political parties to reduce tensions and build trust
- Investing in staff capacity development
He also underscored the importance of embracing digital transformation within Liberia’s electoral system.
“The world is moving from manual systems to digital systems,” he noted. “If we want to maintain credibility and transparency in voter registration and election management, we must invest in digitalization.”
Strengthening Democratic Governance
The courtesy visit forms part of broader efforts by the UNDP and its partners to support democratic governance and strengthen public confidence in Liberia’s electoral institutions.
The Liberia Electoral Support Project (LESP), managed by the UNDP in partnership with UN Women and the Netherlands Institute for Multiparty Democracy (NIMD), is funded by the European Union and the Governments of Ireland and Sweden.
The project aims to promote inclusive, transparent, peaceful, and accountable electoral processes across Liberia.
Follow The Liberian Post on Facebook and X (formerly twitter)
