Editorial: Commending The Nimba Electorate For A Peaceful By-Election

“THANKS TO THE people of Nimba County for the peaceful manner in which they turned out today to vote for a candidate of their choice who will represent them in the Liberian Senate to replace the late Senator Prince Y. Johnson. The polls, which opened this morning at 8:00 a.m., closed minutes ago across Nimba County. What we cannot report is if the turnout was low or high. We can only do this after the entire counting process is over,” the Chairperson of the National Elections Commission (NEC), Davidetta Browne Lansannah, announced Tuesday, April 22, 2025. She said the Nimba County senatorial by-election had successfully and peacefully ended without any report of violence.

THE COMMISSION EXTENDED thanks to the Liberia National Police (LNP) and other security agencies for the level of security provided to the process. NEC further thanked the Government of Liberia (GOL) for providing the funding for the conduct of the by-election. “To the donor community, we say thanks for their support. We also like to appreciate the Liberian media, including various community radios across Nimba, for the coverage of the senatorial by-election,” she stated.

GENERALLY, ALL 262 voting precincts and 736 polling places opened during the morning of voting, even though delays were reported in some places. It was expected that 307,254 registered voters would cast their ballot for the candidate of their choice.

MEANWHILE, JUST PRIOR to the by-election, the Liberian National Bar Association (LNBA) had called on all citizens of Nimba County to actively participate in the up-coming senatorial by-election in accordance with the Constitution and laws of the Republic of Liberia. As the country continues to strengthen its democratic credentials, the LNBA said it is imperative that all eligible voters exercise their rights peacefully, responsibly, and in a manner that upholds the rule of law.

IN A RELEASE issued April 21, 2025, the LNBA commended the National Elections Commission (NEC) for its continued commitment to upholding the integrity of the electoral processes. “We equally extend appreciation to our local and international partners for their invaluable support in fostering credible, transparent, and peaceful elections in Liberia,” the release stated.

HOWEVER, THE LNBA pointed out that, while they welcome the efforts by various stakeholders, the LNBA remained concerned about several ongoing challenges in the electoral environment, including limited civic and voter education across remote areas of Nimba, which may impact informed participation; logistical and administrative issues that could undermine public confidence in the process; potential security risks and political tension, which must be carefully monitored and mitigated through collaboration between the NEC, political actors, security agencies, and civil society.

THE LNBA THEN called on political parties, independent candidates, and their supporters to conduct themselves with civility and respect for the democratic process. “Acts of intimidation, incitement, or electoral violence must be avoided and, where committed, must be addressed through the appropriate legal channels,” the LNBA release observed.