By: Keith Morrison | Contributing Writer
Monrovia, Liberia |February 19, 2026|An internationally acclaimed assessment team under the UNDP–Liberia Electoral Support Project (LESP) is conducting a comprehensive capacity needs assessment at the National Elections Commission of Liberia (NEC-Liberia).
The exercise is aimed at evaluating the Commission’s technical expertise, staff performance, operational systems, key functional areas, and institutional challenges across its various departments as well as sections.
The assessment is also examining the work of magisterial offices, external relations, and engagement with civil society, transparency mechanisms, and other core components of the Commission’s operations.
Supported by UNDP-Liberia national consultant, Dala Kokoyah, Jr., the team comprises two international election experts – Ian M. Smith of Canada and Hannah Roberts, a British.
On Tuesday, 17 February 2026, the NEC Board of Commissioners (BOC) formally welcomed the assessment team to the institution, assuring them of the Secretariat’s full cooperation and support throughout the review process.
The team was accompanied to NEC by UNDP-LESP Chief Technical Advisor, Katherine Green, who explained that the assessment will also evaluate the Commission’s education and professional development programs, among other institutional strengthening components.
Findings and recommendations from the assessment are expected to be presented to UNDP-LESP in March 2026.
