MONROVIA, LIBERIA-West Africa Regional Body, ECOWAS, has pledged to support the National Elections Commission (NEC) in the 2023 General and Presidential Elections.

ECOWAS said it will assist NEC with technical support to enhance efficiency for the Biometric Voting System (BVS) to be introduced for the first time in Liberia.

The Resident Representative of the President of the ECOWAS Commission, Ambassador Josephine Nkrumah, made the commitment on Thursday, December 15, 2022, in an interview on ELBC Super Morning Show.

Ambassador Nkrumah noted that the regional bloc will lead an experience sharing partnership between Liberia and other countries, using the Biometric Voting System.

According to her, ECOWAS is optimistic about the conduct of free, fair and violent-free elections in Liberia next year.

At the same time, Ambassador Nkrumah has admitted political instability and terrorism in the region remain a challenge for ECOWAS.

Madam Nkrumah said:” The persistence of those threats, especially in the Sahel, is distracting the economic focus of ECOWAS.”

Speaking in an ELBC interview on Thursday, December 15, 2022, the ECOWAS Envoy, however, said there are efforts as member states to counter those threats.

Madam Nkrumah noted that ECOWAS cannot achieve its economic objectives in the midst of political instability.

She urged political leaders in the regions to ensure their actions do not run contrary to the norms and values of the regional body.