The National Election Commission (NEC) and political parties yesterday (Dec19) began a two-day Inter-Party Consultative Committee (IPCC) workshop on financial management with political parties in Liberia.

NEC Acting Chairman Elizabeth Nelson said that the two-day event is part of efforts by the Commission to strengthen and improve the capacity of political parties so as to enable them become national in character.

Madam Nelson: "Since the conduct of the 2011 elections, relations between the NEC and political parties have improved tremendously. This is due to the frequent IPCC meetings and frank discussions that characterize such meetings. It is only befitting that political parties, as key stakeholders, be appropriately informed and involved every step of the way in any given electoral process."

Chairman Nelson said that NEC sees the process of IPCC meetings as a demanding priority. "That is why NEC has demonstrated its commitment in deepening the understanding of political parties in all of the processes leading to elections."

She said as a clear manifestation of this commitment, 'Building Trust and Confidence in Electoral Processes' is well articulated in the NEC six year (2013-2018) strategic plan as one of its key strategic objectives.

According to her, NEC's six-year strategic plan can only be achieved through a strong and constructive engagement of political parties.

Chairman Nelson: "In furtherance of enhancing the capacity of political parties, the NEC in 2010 also organized and conducted training in Building Resources in Democracy Governance and Elections (BRIDGE). These knowledge-sharing and learning experiences are significantly important elections management in Liberia in general, and also has improved relations between NEC and political parties."

For his part, the Regional Director of the International Foundation for Electoral System (IFES), Mr. Almami Cyllah, called political parties in Liberian to build a strong relation with NEC so as to enhance the democratic process of the country.