Over the years, the Liberia National Bar Association (LNBA) has been striving to enhance the rule of law in Liberia. However, it faced significant funding constraints that hindered its ability to fully achieve its mandate to provide legal support and public legal education.

Particularly in the context of the 2023 elections, both the National Elections Commission (NEC) and the Judiciary were overwhelmed with numerous frivolous cases stemming from the electoral process.

Many individuals lacked knowledge of how to file complaints and the procedures involved in electoral dispute resolution. This led to a significant backlog of cases, which were irrelevant or non-compliant with existing regulations. 

The Liberian National Bar Association (LNBA) and the National Elections Commission (NEC) signed a Memorandum of Understanding to raise awareness about Liberia's election laws and procedures. 

The LNBA collaboration with NEC funded by UNDP in partnership with Sweden, Irish Aid, the European Union, the Kingdom of the Netherlands, and the Liberia Peacebuilding Office, addressed challenges related to electoral integrity and civil and political rights.

“This intervention enabled the LNBA to make its first substantial contribution to public election law education, targeting various stakeholders in the electoral process and reaching many beneficiaries, including the media, Bar members, civil society organizations, the security sector, and judiciary workers,” narrated former LNBA President Sylvester Rennie.

With support from UNDP and its development partners, the LNBA launched extensive public education campaigns, informing citizens, stakeholders, and various institutions about the correct procedures for filing election-related complaints.  

Stakeholders across five regions participated in town hall dialogues, and interactive radio programs, and received advocacy materials. The initiative provided essential education on election laws, complaint filing mechanisms, electoral dispute resolution, and the elections’ timetable. 

“The public legal education campaign helped reduce the number of cases improperly filed, ultimately easing the burden on both the Judiciary and the NEC, contributing to a more efficient electoral process, and fostering greater confidence in the system,” said Rennie.

Counselor Rennie further explained that the intervention did not specifically include funds for Civic and Voter Education (CVE), however, the LNBA was able to maximize the limited resources available to incorporate CVE. 

“This flexibility allowed the organization to extend its impact, ensuring broader awareness, sensitization, and education among stakeholders regarding their civic rights in the electoral process,” Rennie noted. 

The LNBA's ability to train stakeholders, including media personnel, civil society organizations, and judiciary staff, on the intricacies of electoral law, complaint mechanisms, and dispute resolution contributed to streamlining the case management process and fostering greater trust in the electoral system by ensuring that complaints were handled more efficiently and transparently.

UNDP’s support significantly enhanced public awareness of the LNBA’s work and its capacity to uphold the rule of law in Liberia. As a result, more people are now informed about the Association’s role and are better acquainted with its initiatives. 

Additionally, the intervention bolstered the confidence and trust of Bar members, who now recognize the organization’s strengthened ability to provide legal education. 

“This newfound trust has not only solidified the LNBA’s reputation but has also encouraged greater engagement from its members and the wider community in its activities,” says former Bar President Sylvester Rennie.