11/06/2026
NEC Liberia, Media Practitioners Adopt Joint Communiqué to Strengthen Electoral Awareness and Democratic Participation
GANTA, Nimba County – 11 June 2026 – The National Elections Commission of Liberia (NEC-Liberia) and media practitioners from across the country have reaffirmed their commitment to deepening collaboration aimed at promoting voter education, combating misinformation, and strengthening democratic participation through effective public communication.
The commitment is contained in a Joint Communiqué signed and adopted at the close of a three-day Media–Elections Workshop held in Ganta, Nimba County, from 9–11 June 2026.
The workshop, supported by the UNDP Liberia Electoral Support Project (LESP) through the European Union in Liberia, brought together representatives of NEC-Liberia and journalists from various media institutions to review and provide input into the Commission's draft Communications Strategy, Policy and Protocols.
In the communiqué, read by journalist Beyeatu Kareem of Ablee-Jay Online TV, both parties acknowledged the critical role of responsible journalism and effective communication in supporting electoral processes and ensuring that citizens have access to accurate and timely information throughout the electoral cycle.
Participants recognized the longstanding partnership between the Commission and the media and agreed that stronger collaboration is necessary to improve public understanding of elections, as well as the NEC's broader programs and activities.
Among the key resolutions adopted, the NEC and media institutions committed to strengthening cooperation to ensure the timely, accurate, and accessible dissemination of information relating to electoral processes and civic engagement initiatives.
Media institutions further pledged to increase coverage of NEC programs, activities, policies, voter education campaigns, and electoral reform initiatives as a means of enhancing public awareness and encouraging greater citizen participation in democratic processes.
The NEC, in turn, committed to providing regular updates, information, data, and resource materials to media institutions to support accurate, balanced, and professional reporting on electoral issues.
The communiqué also emphasized the importance of jointly combating misinformation, disinformation, and fake news, which both parties acknowledged could undermine public confidence in electoral processes and democratic institutions if left unchecked.
In closing remarks, NEC Executive Director, Anthony Sengbe, welcomed the media's commitment to promoting electoral activities, noting that the Commission would leverage the strengthened partnership to enhance public engagement and awareness.
The UNDP Liberia Electoral Support Project (LESP) Communications Specialist, James Kpargoi, reaffirmed the project's continued support to the NEC.
Meanwhile, Malcolm Joseph, Executive Director of the Center for Media Studies and Peace Building (CEMESP), lauded the initiative, describing it as a significant step toward strengthening public communication within the NEC and fostering stronger relations with the media.
Following the Ganta workshop, approximately 35 participants, including election magistrates and journalists, received certificates from the NEC and its partners.
The workshop forms part of the Commission's ongoing efforts, with support from development partners, to strengthen media engagement, improve public communication, and enhance the integrity, transparency, and credibility of Liberia's electoral processes.
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