NEC Embarks On Nationwide Boundary Delimitation Process

By Rancy S. Teewia

MONROVIA, Aug. 29 (LINA) – The Chairperson of the National Elections Commission, Madam Davidetta Browne-Lansanah, has disclosed that in the post-electoral period, the Commission is implementing series of activities geared towards enhancing boundary delimitation process, legal reforms, institutional strengthening, documenting lessons-learned and developing a strategic plan.

Speaking at the Commission headquarters on Tuesday August 27, 2024, in Monrovia, the NEC Chairperson narrated that the boundary delimitation process is an important element of the electoral process in the electoral cycle that determines the boundaries of electoral constituencies as well as the process for determining the number of elected seats per constituency.

Madam Browne-Lansanah stressed that Electoral Boundary delimitation is an important means of ensuring equality in the weight of votes as well as representation in the electoral constituency, particularly with shifts in the size and makeup of voting populations among other factors.

She said it is crucial for the Commission to prioritize these post-electoral activities while the NEC has a statutory mandate as the sole authority to conduct public elections and referenda. It relies on stakeholders to provide elections prerequisites such as census, population threshold, and administrative boundaries, amongst others. 

Meanwhile, the NEC Boss furthered that the Commission is in the process of developing a comprehensive electoral law reform agenda that will meet the requirements of the laws of Liberia and international standards. Following the 2023 elections, electoral stakeholders presented recommendations for possible reforms of the electoral laws of Liberia.

She said the NEC recognizes the importance of these recommendations, as they hold the potential to strengthen the democratic process and enhance the credibility of future elections.

The NEC boss narrated that to ensure a collaborative and inclusive approach to electoral reform, the NEC plans to engage in extensive consultations with various electoral stakeholders including local and traditional leaders, political parties and civil society organizations.

"These engagements will be crucial in gathering inputs and securing broad support for the development of the electoral reform proposals. The proposals will then be submitted to the Legislature for possible passage into law," she noted

At the same time, the NEC Chairperson has expressed gratitude to the Government of Liberia and Partners for their continued support to elections administration, citing "The Commission solicits the Government's support to ensure that post - electoral activities are implemented in a timely manner," Madam Browne-Lansanah added.