MONROVIA – The National Elections Commission (NEC) is seeking more than US$72 million to finance Liberia’s 2029 Presidential and Legislative Elections, with plans to conduct a fresh biometric voter registration exercise and expand voting precincts across the country.
NEC Chairman Cllr. J. Nathaniel Weedor disclosed that the Commission will submit a draft budget of just over US$72 million to the Government of Liberia by October 31, 2026, to cover the entire electoral cycle.
Cllr. Weedor made the disclosure Wednesday, October 22, 2026, during the induction ceremony of Anthony Josephe Yarsiah as the new Executive Director of the NEC at the Commission’s headquarters in Monrovia.
According to the NEC Chairman, the proposed US$72 million budget will cover pre-electoral, electoral, and post-electoral activities leading up to and beyond the 2029 polls.
He announced that as part of its early preparations, the NEC plans to conduct a fresh biometric voter registration exercise between January and March 2028, aimed at building a new, credible voter roll ahead of the general elections.
The Commission also intends to increase the number of voting precincts nationwide from 2,080 to 2,500 to reduce overcrowding, cut down long distances traveled by voters, and improve overall access to polling centers.
To meet this timeline, Cllr. Weedor said biometric enrollment kits must be procured and available in the country by the end of July 2027, while the recruitment and training of technicians and registration staff must be completed by December 2027.
He emphasized that timely disbursement of funds by the government and prudent financial management by the Commission will be critical to delivering credible, transparent, and peaceful elections in 2029.
“Timely government funding and prudent financial management will be critical to ensuring adequate preparations for credible elections in 2029,” Weedor stressed.
Meanwhile, newly inducted Executive Director Anthony Josephe Yarsiah brings to the position 19 years of experience in electoral administration, having served in several senior capacities within the NEC.
Yarsiah’s appointment was confirmed by the Board of Commissioners on September 15, 2026, following a rigorous vetting process.
He is expected to lead the day-to-day administrative and operational affairs of the Commission as it begins early planning for the 2029 electoral cycle.
The 2029 Presidential and Legislative Elections will be Liberia’s fifth post-war democratic elections and are widely seen as crucial to consolidating the country’s democratic gains.