Ganta, Nimba County – The National Elections Commission of Liberia (NEC-Liberia) is set to launch a three-day training workshop for media professionals and election stakeholders in Ganta, Nimba County. The Commission says the initiative is aimed at safeguarding electoral integrity ahead of the 2029 General Elections.
The BRIDGE workshop—“Media and Elections – Strengthening Media and Electoral Integrity”—will begin on Tuesday, 9 June 2026. It is organized by the NEC in collaboration with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) through the Liberia Electoral Support Project (LESP), with financial backing from the European Union (EU).
BRIDGE—which stands for Building Resources in Democracy, Governance and Elections—is a globally recognized professional development program designed to strengthen electoral processes, build institutional capacity, and foster leadership within democratic institutions.
According to a release from the NEC Communications Section, the Ganta workshop is the first phase of a broader engagement aimed at reviewing and shaping the NEC’s Communications Strategy, Policy, and Protocols using the BRIDGE methodology. Topics to be covered include media literacy, media mapping, journalist accreditation, the legal framework governing elections and the press, democracy and press freedom, as well as countering misinformation and disinformation.
The workshop will bring together a cross-section of key stakeholders, including representatives from the NEC, the Press Union of Liberia (PUL), Local Voices Liberia, Internews, the Center for Media Studies and Peacebuilding (CEMESP), the Female Journalists Association of Liberia (FEJAL), and the Association of Liberian Community Radio Stations (ALICOR).
Organizers say the diverse participant list is expected to enrich discussions and lead to the development of a practical communications strategy and protocols that enhance public trust, strengthen electoral integrity, and ensure the timely and accurate dissemination of public information.
At the close of the Ganta session, the NEC Communications Section is expected to sign a communiqué with participating journalists, reaffirming a shared commitment to increasing public awareness of key electoral activities—including citizens’ right to vote and broader electoral participation.
The training does not end in Nimba. A second phase of the NEC-BRIDGE ‘Media and Elections’ Workshop is scheduled for 17–19 June 2026 in Buchanan, Grand Bassa County. That session will target another group of media managers, editors, and key stakeholders.
These training activities are part of the NEC’s ongoing preparations for future electoral processes, with a clear eye on the 2029 General Elections. Officials say the workshops underscore the Commission’s commitment to strengthening institutional capacity, enhancing stakeholder engagement, and fostering a well-informed electoral environment.
The push for professional development aligns with recent statements by NEC Acting Chairperson, Mr. Jonathan K. Weedor. During his confirmation hearing before the Liberian Senate, Weedor emphasized that continuous capacity-building for staff across the country remains essential to improving institutional performance and effective election administration.
In addition to human resource development, Weedor highlighted infrastructure expansion and modernization as a central pillar of his vision—specifically, the establishment of nationwide institutional infrastructure capable of supporting efficient electoral operations and service delivery.
