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ADNews-Monrovia, Liberia: The National Elections Commission (NEC) has concluded a two-day national consultation and capacity-building workshop aimed at strengthening collaboration with the media and enhancing its public communication strategy ahead of future electoral activities.
By Benjamin Q. Johnson
The consultation, held at the NEC Headquarters in Sinkor, Monrovia, brought together 41 journalists, media practitioners, communication experts, NEC officials, and development partners to review the Commission’s Draft Communications Strategy, Policy, and Protocol.
The Monrovia session followed two successful regional consultations held in Ganta, Nimba County, and Buchanan, Grand Bassa County.
The engagements held in both Counties brought together journalists, election magistrates, and media practitioners from Nimba, Grand Bassa, Bomi, Grand Cape Mount, Bong, Margibi, Maryland, River Gee, and several other counties to contribute to the development of a more inclusive and effective electoral communication framework.
Speaking on behalf of the NEC Board of Commissioners at the opening of the two-day workshop, Commissioner Cllr. Ernestine Morgan-Awar reaffirmed the Commission’s commitment to transparency, accountability, professionalism, and continuous institutional improvement.
She emphasized that effective communication is fundamental to the successful conduct of credible, peaceful, inclusive, and transparent elections.
Commissioner Morgan-Awar noted that timely, accurate, and consistent communication is essential for building public confidence, combating misinformation and disinformation, and ensuring that Liberians remain well informed throughout every stage of the electoral process.
Describing the media as one of the Commission’s most valued democratic partners, she acknowledged journalists’ indispensable role in promoting civic awareness, disseminating balanced electoral information, encouraging peaceful participation, and strengthening public trust in democratic institutions.
She further observed that the review of the Communications Strategy, Policy, and Protocol comes at a critical time as the communications landscape continues to evolve through digital technology, social media, and changing public expectations.
According to her, the revised framework will modernize the Commission’s communication systems and promote more responsive, proactive, accessible, and citizen-centered engagement.
Delivering remarks during the opening ceremony, Press Union of Liberia (PUL) President Julius Kanubah described the consultation as a significant milestone in strengthening the NEC’s communication with voters and the wider Liberian public.
Kanubah commended the NEC for expanding the consultation process from the regional engagements in Ganta and Buchanan to Monrovia, thereby allowing broader participation by journalists and media practitioners.
He also praised the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), through the Liberia Electoral Support Project (LESP), funded by the European Union, Ireland, and Sweden, for supporting the initiative.
The PUL President stressed that credible elections require strong collaboration between the NEC and the media. He urged journalists to uphold the highest standards of professionalism by adhering to the ethical principles of fairness, accuracy, impartiality, and responsible reporting throughout the electoral process.
He further encouraged the NEC to build sustainable partnerships with the media beyond the consultation, particularly in civic and voter education initiatives. At the same time, Kanubah reaffirmed that the media will continue to perform its constitutional watchdog role by scrutinizing the Commission’s administrative, operational, and legal decisions in the interest of the Liberian people.
Throughout the two-day consultation, participants engaged in constructive discussions and submitted recommendations aimed at strengthening institutional coordination, improving consistency in public messaging, enhancing stakeholder engagement, and increasing public confidence in Liberia’s electoral process.
The consultation concluded with renewed commitments from the NEC, media representatives, and development partners to deepen collaboration in promoting transparent, credible, inclusive, and peaceful elections.
The exercise underscores a renewed partnership between the National Elections Commission and the media, aimed at strengthening transparency, enhancing public trust, combating misinformation and disinformation, and encouraging greater citizen participation in Liberia’s democratic governance.
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