By Stephen G. Fellajuah
MONROVIA, Liberia, September 2, 2026 — The National Elections Commission (NEC) has unveiled a five-year strategic plan requiring more than US$75 million to modernize Liberia’s electoral system, strengthen the Commission’s institutional capacity and improve the delivery of elections.
The 2026–2030 Strategic Plan, launched Wednesday at the NEC headquarters in Monrovia, outlines reforms covering technology, electoral laws and policies, financial sustainability, institutional capacity, stakeholder engagement and social inclusion.
NEC Chairperson Jonathan K. Weeder said the proposed investment is critical to strengthening Liberia’s democratic institutions and maintaining public confidence in the electoral process.
“This is not merely an expenditure. It is an investment in the very soul of our democracy,” Weeder said.
He said the plan is intended to build a more resilient, transparent and technologically capable electoral institution equipped to respond to Liberia’s changing electoral environment.
The launch brought together representatives of the Legislature, political parties, civil society organizations, development partners, the diplomatic community and other stakeholders.
Providing an overview of the plan, NEC Commissioner Josephine Kou Gaye said it establishes a roadmap for the Commission over the next five years, with priorities organized around specific pillars, measurable targets and a monitoring framework to track implementation.
Weeder said Liberia’s electoral landscape is changing amid technological advances, shifting demographics and growing public demands for transparency and accountability.
He acknowledged that while the Commission made progress under its previous strategic plan, the period also exposed gaps in technological infrastructure, financial sustainability and institutional capacity.
“We have heeded these lessons. Today, we respond with a plan that is not just aspirational, but actionable; not just a vision, but a strategy rooted in the realities of our time,” Weeder said.
Under the new plan, the NEC will pursue legal and policy reforms aimed at strengthening Liberia’s electoral framework and ensuring that electoral laws and regulations remain clear and enforceable.
The Commission also plans to strengthen governance and financial sustainability through transparent management and accountable financing, while expanding resource mobilization and building a professional workforce capable of administering credible elections.
Technology and digital transformation are another major component of the strategy. The NEC intends to introduce secure and integrated technologies to modernize its operations and address emerging challenges, including election-related misinformation.
The plan also places emphasis on stakeholder engagement, gender equality and social inclusion, with the Commission pledging to expand participation in the electoral process regardless of gender, disability or social status.
Electoral cooperation and operational efficiency are also identified as priorities, with the NEC seeking to improve the security and efficiency of electoral services.
Weeder said mechanisms will be established to ensure that the more than US$75 million required to implement the plan is managed transparently and produces measurable results.
These will include a Strategic Finance Committee, technology-focused working groups, quarterly reviews, annual performance reports and a risk assessment and mitigation framework.
He said the NEC will implement the strategy with financial discipline and transparency while allowing adjustments to address emerging challenges during the five-year period.
According to Weeder, the ultimate goal is to position the NEC as a stronger, more responsive and technologically capable institution able to deliver credible, inclusive and efficient elections.
The Commission said successful implementation of the plan will require cooperation and financial support from the government, development partners and other electoral stakeholders.
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