NEC REVIEWS MEDIA SECURITY SOP TO STRENGTHEN ELECTION COMMUNICATION AND COORDINATION

NEC Headquarters, Monrovia, Liberia | 2 October 2026

MONROVIA, Liberia, Friday, 2 October 2026, The National Elections Commission of Liberia (NEC), through its Communications Section, has completed a final review of its revised Media Security Standard Operating Procedures (SOP), an important step toward strengthening coordination between security personnel and media practitioners throughout the electoral cycle.

Friday’s review, conducted in collaboration with the UNDP Liberia Electoral Support Project (LESP), focused on incorporating relevant corrections, recommendations, and additional provisions into the SOP before its validation and adoption.

Once validated, the revised SOP will provide clearer guidance on the roles, responsibilities, and respective mandates of security personnel and journalists as they carry out their duties during elections.

This clarity is intended to support a professional environment where electoral activities can be reported accurately while security responsibilities are properly understood.

Participants also reviewed provisions aimed at improving communication and coordination between security personnel and media practitioners.

 Stronger engagement between both groups is expected to help reduce misunderstandings, promote mutual respect, and support the safe and orderly flow of information during electoral activities.

Another important area addressed by the review is conflict-sensitive reporting. Revised guidance will help journalists better understand how reporting can contribute to a peaceful electoral environment, while also recognizing their professional responsibility to provide timely, accurate and credible information to the public.

Media access to electoral information also received attention during the session. The revised SOP is expected to provide greater clarity on journalists’ rights and the limitations associated with access to information, helping both media practitioners and security personnel understand the boundaries within which their respective duties should be performed.

Friday’s session brought together representatives from NEC’s Communications Section and UNDP Liberia Electoral Support Project at the Commission’s headquarters in Monrovia. Their collective review and technical inputs are expected to strengthen the document before its final validation.

NEC continues to recognize effective communication as an important part of a credible electoral process. Through clearer procedures, stronger coordination and greater understanding among stakeholders, the revised Media Security SOP is intended to support responsible media engagement and contribute to a peaceful, informed and orderly electoral environment.

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