A Democratic Journey Built on Resilience and Hope
When Liberians go to the polls, they are participating in a story that extends far beyond the choice of political leaders. Each election represents years of determination, resilience, and collective effort to rebuild a nation and strengthen the foundations of peace and democracy. The moments when citizens freely express their choices, when power changes hands peacefully, and when communities engage in shaping their future reflect the progress Liberia has made and the continued commitment of its people to building a more inclusive and accountable society.
That progress, however, has not happened by chance. Over the past two decades, Liberia has worked to rebuild public institutions, strengthen the rule of law, and restore confidence in democratic governance. Multi-party elections are now a regular feature of national life, citizens are increasingly engaged in public affairs, and democratic institutions continue to evolve in response to changing expectations. These achievements represent important milestones. Yet democracy remains a continuous journey—one that requires institutions to adapt, citizens to participate, and leaders to uphold their responsibilities.
Beyond Elections: Building Stronger Democratic Institutions
Strengthening democracy today means more than organizing successful elections. It means ensuring that public institutions have the capacity to serve effectively, that citizens have confidence in the systems created to represent them, and that women, young people, and marginalized communities have meaningful opportunities to contribute to national decision-making.
It also requires creating space for fair and peaceful political competition, constructive dialogue, civic participation, and institutions that can respond to the needs of the people with transparency and integrity.
It is within this broader democratic transformation that the Liberia Electoral Support Project (LESP) continues to make an important contribution. Implemented by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in partnership with the Government of Liberia and a broad network of national and international partners, in particular the National Elections Commission, UN Women and the Netherlands Institute of Multi-Party Democracy (NIMD), LESP supports long-term democratic development by strengthening electoral institutions, promoting inclusive participation, improving governance systems, and contributing to peacebuilding efforts.
Since its launch in September 2020, with implementation continuing through December 2026, the project has adopted an electoral cycle approach—recognizing that democracy is built not only during elections but through the continuous work that takes place before and after them, and through the contributions of a vast array of different organizations and actors, from the national political leadership to community level.
Strengthening Electoral Systems and Public Confidence
Credible elections are not created on Election Day. They are built through years of preparation, institutional strengthening, public engagement, and trust-building. Electoral institutions require skilled personnel, effective systems, reliable planning, and the confidence of citizens.
Communities need access to accurate and impartial information and opportunities to participate meaningfully in public life. Political actors need platforms for inclusive and constructive engagement, while institutions must have the ability to manage challenges fairly and transparently. These everyday efforts determine whether elections stand as isolated events or become part of a stronger democratic culture.
Much of Liberia’s democratic progress has depended on strengthening the institutions responsible for protecting and managing electoral processes. Working closely with the National Elections Commission (NEC), LESP has provided technical assistance, institutional capacity development, and operational support aimed at strengthening electoral administration and reinforcing public confidence in the electoral process as a whole.
These efforts have contributed to stronger planning, improved coordination among electoral stakeholders, enhanced communication systems, and greater institutional readiness.
Supporting Credible and Peaceful Elections
The value of this support became particularly evident during the 2020 Special Senatorial Election and Constitutional Referendum and the 2023 Presidential and Legislative Elections.