A Liberian election monitoring body is recommending a series of reforms to enhance the conduct of future elections in the country.
Monrovia, Liberia, September 27, 2024- The Elections Coordinating Committee (ECC) has conducted a one-day National Security Dialogue to assess performance of the Joint Security Task Force (JSTF) during the 2023 elections, offering recommendations for improving future electoral security efforts.
The JSTF, led by the Liberian National Police (LNP), was responsible for ensuring electoral security, but the ECC notes that while the LNP’s response to election-related violence was inconsistent, the JSTF largely maintained professionalism despite financial, logistical, and staffing challenges.
The dialogue focused on evaluating the security sector’s role during the elections, particularly in managing tensions between political parties and candidates. Such discussions are crucial for fostering a peaceful and orderly election process, protecting both the integrity of elections and the peaceful transition of power.
It also revealed that a key element of the dialogue was identifying potential sources of election-related conflict, stressing that by improving communication among stakeholders, these discussions aim to reduce tensions and prevent violence, ensuring that the electoral process remains transparent and secure.
At the same time, it said that despite the logistical and financial constraints faced by the JSTF, public perceptions of the LNP’s impartiality- especially accusations of favoring the incumbent government- have posed additional challenges.
Nevertheless, it added that the task force was commended for its overall professional conduct on election’s day.
ECC recommends that with elections growing more complex and citizens becoming more engaged in the political process, it is critical to institutionalize planning and coordination of electoral security across all JSTF agencies to ensure better preparation for future elections.
It further recommends a need to facilitate timely disbursement of funds for NEC and ESOS to adequately plan and implement election activities, and to amend the constitution to change the election date from rainy season (October) to dry season.
It calls for expansion of training programs for security forces to improve preparedness for future elections, and to reapportion seats in the legislature to coincide with the Liberian census and comply with the provisions of the constitution.
ECC wants collaboration between the LIS and the NEC strengthened to prevent ineligible individuals, particularly non-citizens, from registering to vote and to clearly define what constitutes voter trucking in order to enforce violations. Editing by Jonathan Browne
