Monrovia, Liberia; October 7, 2026: Democracy thrives when citizens are informed, actively involved, and empowered to participate, not only on Election Day, but throughout the democratic process.
With this vision, the National Elections Commission (NEC), with support from the Liberia Electoral Support Project, on 5 October launched the first of four regional consultations on the Civic and Voter Education Strategy 2026-2030 in Buchanan City, Grand Bassa County.
The two-day consultation brings together representatives of civil society, local authorities, community leaders, and electoral stakeholders to help shape a national strategy that reflects the realities and needs of communities across Liberia.
The Buchanan consultation is the first in a nationwide series that will also be held in Grand Cape Mount, Nimba and Maryland counties.
The Liberia Electoral Support Project works to enhance the capacity of NEC, civil society and other actors in coordinating civic and voter education, as part of its objectives to strengthen democratic governance, inclusive political participation and accountable institutions in Liberia.
The Project is managed by UNDP and implemented in partnership with UN Women and the Netherlands Institute for Multiparty Democracy (NIMD) and in close cooperation with the NEC, with support from the European Union, Irish Aid, and Sweden.
At the opening ceremony, NEC Commissioner Cllr. Ernestine Morgan-Awar underscored that civic education is fundamental to building resilient democracies and contributes directly to the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals, particularly SDG Target 4.7, which promotes education for sustainable development, human rights, gender equality, peace and global citizenship.
Counselor Morgan-Awar explained that the proposed strategy moves beyond the traditional view of voter education as an activity conducted only before elections and instead envisions it as a continuous process that begins long before voter registration, extends through elections, and continues well into the post-election period.
The strategy responds to the need for a more coordinated, inclusive, accessible and sustainable approach to civic and voter education, Commissioner Morgan-Awar said. It seeks to ensure that all citizens understand their rights and responsibilities, have access to accurate and timely information, and are encouraged to participate meaningfully and peacefully in democratic processes.
Representing UNDP for the Liberia Electoral Support Project, Robert Irish challenged participants to view civic and voter education as one of the most powerful tools for protecting electoral integrity and strengthening democracy.
You are the frontline of civic and voter education, he told participants. You are the people working in villages, towns and communities who ensure citizens receive accurate information and understand how to participate in democracy.
Irish also highlighted the importance of civic and voter education in promoting greater participation and representation of underrepresented groups in Liberia’s next elections and throughout the electoral cycle.
At the end of the day, he said, people need access to accurate information, in languages they understand, through messages they trust, and in ways that make sense in their communities.
He encouraged participants to become champions against misinformation and disinformation by ensuring that reliable electoral information reaches citizens through trusted local voices and culturally appropriate communication channels.
The regional consultation forms part of a broader effort to develop a comprehensive Civic and Voter Education Strategy that strengthens democratic participation between elections, enhances public understanding of Liberia’s electoral processes, and fosters peaceful, informed and inclusive citizen engagement.
Over the two-day consultation, participants will review the strategic framework, communication methodology, implementation priorities, gender and social inclusion, the electoral cycle and the enabling environment for civic education before providing recommendations that will strengthen the final strategy.
Their contributions will help ensure that the Civic and Voter Education Strategy reflects community perspectives and provides a practical roadmap for empowering citizens and deepening democratic participation across Liberia.
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