With EU Support
Monrovia, Liberia – April 8, 2025 – The West Africa Network for Peacebuilding (WANEP-Liberia), in collaboration with the Elections Coordinating Committee (ECC) and the Liberia Election Observation Network (LEON), has launched a joint election observation initiative for the upcoming 2025 Nimba County Senatorial By-election.
Supported by the European Union (EU) under the “Elections Violence Monitoring, Analysis and Mitigation” (E-MAM) project, the initiative aims to enhance public trust in the electoral process and curb potential electoral violence. The project, which began on April 2 and runs through May 15, 2025, is valued at 57,725 euros.
The primary goal of the E-MAM project is to contribute to the reduction of electoral violence in Liberia by leveraging citizen observation and strengthening national capacities for violence prevention during elections. The joint effort by WANEP, ECC, and LEON centers on three strategic objectives:
- Conducting an independent assessment of the Nimba Senatorial By-election through the deployment of trained domestic election observers.
- Promoting public confidence and mitigating risks of electoral violence through pre-election dialogues with stakeholders.
- Reducing voter apathy by engaging the public and providing regular updates on the election process.
As part of the project, 13 Long Term Observers (LTOs) — including four County Coordinators and nine Electoral District Supervisors — will monitor the campaign period. On Election Day, 88 Short Term Observers (STOs) will be deployed across polling stations to observe proceedings and report in real time.
To support the observation process, the organizations will establish and operationalize a Joint Election Data Center. Utilizing the Kobo Collect Database Management System, the center will receive live updates from observers, analyze the data, and issue timely public reports through institutional websites and social media.
Beyond election day, WANEP, ECC, and LEON will continue to observe the tallying of results and resolution of electoral disputes. The findings will be compiled into a comprehensive election observation report, contributing to ongoing electoral reform efforts in Liberia.
The organizations also plan to host stakeholder consultations based on their election observations to inform policy and reform recommendations that strengthen Liberia’s democratic processes.
WANEP, ECC, and LEON expressed their gratitude to the European Union for its continued partnership and support, noting that the E-MAM project plays a vital role in consolidating democratic gains and promoting peaceful, credible, and inclusive elections in Liberia.