MONROVIA, Liberia–Naymote Partners for Democratic Development has identified significant gaps in legislative accountability, with concerns over lawmakers’ engagement with constituents, public reporting, and the availability of functional district offices across Liberia.

The findings are contained in the organization’s second edition of its Legislative Performance Report, which assessed lawmakers’ activities across 15 counties and 72 electoral districts during the legislative break from July 17 to October 9.

Speaking during the presentation, Naymote Executive Director Eddie Jarwolo said 66 of the 72 lawmakers, representing 91.7 percent, returned to their respective districts during the assessment period.

However, the report found that only 56 lawmakers, representing 77.8 percent, conducted town hall meetings, while 51, representing 70.8 percent, engaged with the media. Only 50 percent submitted formal reports to their constituents.

The assessment further revealed that 62.5 percent of lawmakers had functional offices in their respective electoral districts, raising concerns about citizens’ access to their elected representatives.

Jarwolo said:” The findings point to a 41.7 percent accountability gap, particularly in reporting activities and maintaining consistent communication with constituents”.

He explained that Naymote deployed 72 monitors, with additional support from interns and its office-based team, to verify lawmakers’ activities. The organization also used Google Forms, Open Data Kit (ODK), and telephone follow-ups to improve data collection and verification.

Jarwolo called for stronger accountability mechanisms, including standardized reporting templates to guide lawmakers in reporting their activities to constituents.

He cautioned that representation should not be limited to distributing rice and making donations, but should include meaningful consultations, town hall meetings, media engagement, and regular reports to citizens.

The report is part of Naymote’s ongoing efforts to strengthen democratic governance, promote transparency, and ensure elected officials remain accountable to the people they represent.