Monrovia, Liberia – A major milestone in the National Elections Commission’s agenda for digital transformation was reached on April 23, 2026, when the Commission presented its Board of Commissioners with a comprehensive progress report on the development of a new, updated corporate website, with technical assistance from the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP).
The presentation follows a demanding ten-day practical capacity-building program for NEC staff and is based on a series of assessments, consultations, and technical working sessions conducted since December 2025. Together, these projects enhance the Commission’s digital infrastructure, public communication capabilities, and internal processes.
The European Union and the governments of Sweden and Ireland fund the website upgrading project through the Liberia Electoral Support Project. The new website, which was created using a capacity-building and participatory methodology, signifies a major institutional change for the NEC, moving toward greater public participation, better information accessibility, and complete ownership of its digital platforms.
Election results, official announcements, institutional statistics, and voter education materials are among the electoral information that the platform is intended to deliver in a fast, accurate, and user-friendly manner.
Mr. Jonathan K. Weedor, Acting Chairperson of the NEC, reiterated the Commission’s dedication to digital transformation as a strategic priority throughout his speech. “Digital transformation is a must. It is the Commission’s most strategic course of action. Election information must be timely, easily accessible, and available to all citizens, wherever they may be. This is how we increase responsibility and foster confidence,” Mr. Weedor stated.
He highlighted the initiative’s wider institutional effects, pointing out that digitizing NEC systems will greatly enhance operational effectiveness and public service delivery. “We deeply appreciate the continued support of UNDP and our development partners, whose contributions remain critical to strengthening the NEC’s institutional capacity,” he added.
Additionally, the Acting Chairperson praised the trainees and technical staff for their commitment. “The Commission’s success is your success. The way the public interacts with us will be determined by what you are creating. The Board is entirely in favour of this process and anticipates its successful conclusion.”
Mr. Aagon Tingba of the Liberia Electoral Support Project emphasized the strategic significance of the website modernization project in his statements on behalf of UNDP. “This initiative is central to improving public access to information, strengthening transparency, and ensuring citizens receive timely and accurate updates on electoral processes. What is especially significant is the strong focus on building NEC’s internal capacity so the Commission is not only using the platform but fully managing and sustaining it independently,” Tingba noted.
He highlighted the progress achieved during the training as evidence of effective knowledge transfer and institutional readiness. “The skills demonstrated by the NEC team reflect real progress. Staff are now able to manage content, structure information, and operate the platform in ways that were not possible before. We are confident the final product will be a dynamic, accessible, and state-of-the-art platform for both stakeholders and the public.”
Providing the technical overview, UNDP Project ICT Systems and Website Development Specialist and training facilitator, Evrard Kouadio, reported that development of the website is nearing completion. “Over the past ten days, NEC staff have undergone intensive, hands-on training covering all aspects of building and managing a corporate website from infrastructure and system setup to content management and publication workflows. Today, each participant can independently install, configure, and manage the website environment,” Kouadio explained.
He added that approximately 80 percent of the development process has been completed, including six of eight training modules and multiple practical exercises. “The team is now capable of publishing professional content, managing media libraries, structuring navigation, and organizing information in ways that significantly enhance the user experience,” he said.
A live demonstration of the new website led by NEC staff highlighted significant improvements, including:
• A modernized user interface and improved navigation
• Prominent display of priority information such as election results and official announcements
• Integrated news and media sections with real-time updates
• Enhanced search functionality and content categorization
• Interactive features, including FAQs and messaging tools and
• A comprehensive digital archive and institutional information database
Additionally, the platform has dynamic content management features that allow the NEC to modify information priority in accordance with public information needs and election cycles. The new NEC website, which will offer a safe, easily accessible, and entirely NEC-managed digital platform to support election transparency, voter information, and public confidence, is anticipated to be completed and published gradually.
In order to improve inclusive, transparent, and accountable governance, the Liberia Electoral Support Project supports national institutions and procedures. With assistance from the European Union, Ireland, and Sweden, it is run by UNDP and carried out in collaboration with UN Women, the Netherlands Institute for Multiparty Democracy, and the NEC.
Reported by: Naneka Hoffman
