The Association of African Electoral Authorities deployed a peer support mission to Liberia during the first round of the 2023 presidential election, from 6 to 13 October 2023. The mission brought together five Chairpersons and Commissioners from African Election Management Bodies (EMBs), reflecting the Association’s commitment to peer-to-peer cooperation and solidarity among its members. The mission was conducted with the support of the European Centre for Electoral Support within the framework of the “Pro-Electoral Integrity” project, financed by the Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation through the Italian–African Peace Facility (IAPF) instrument.
The delegation included EMB representatives from Ghana, South Africa, Malawi, and Ethiopia. The mission was undertaken to support and demonstrate solidarity with Davidetta A.T. Brown Lansanah, Chairperson of the National Elections Commission (NEC) of Liberia, and her fellow Commissioners.
Designed as a peer support initiative, the mission served as a resource for its counterparts, providing constructive pre-electoral and post-electoral advice and feedback based on shared experiences. The delegation coordinated closely with the African Union and other international and regional organisations present during the electoral process.
Throughout the mission, the delegation engaged with key electoral stakeholders in a structured and chronological manner, including the Elections Coordination Committee, the ECONEC delegation, the West African Network for Peacebuilding and the National Elections Response Group, as well as the leadership of the National Elections Commission. The mission also participated in the debriefing of Heads of Election Observation Missions conducted by the AU and Economic Community of West African States.
On Election Day, the delegation observed four polling stations across different areas of Monrovia, followed by observation of the vote counting process. The following day, the mission observed the tallying of results at both the national tallying centre and the Montserrado tallying centre at the Samuel Kanyon Doe Sports Complex.
At the conclusion of the mission, the participating Chairpersons and Commissioners prepared a communiqué outlining eight key findings related to the electoral process, along with recommendations informed by their respective national experiences. This communiqué was formally presented to the NEC Chairperson, Davidetta A.T. Brown Lansanah, during a meeting with the Commission, providing a platform for discussion, analysis, and reflection on the mission’s observations and conclusions.