District 10 By-Election Deadline Falls Friday, Court Yet to Rule

Published: August 10, 2026

MONROVIA – Montserrado County District 10 has gone nearly four months without a representative in the House, and the outer constitutional deadline for holding a by-election to fill the seat falls this month, with the Supreme Court yet to rule on whether the expulsion that created the vacancy was lawful.

Nimba County Sen. Samuel G. Kogar is asking the court to decide the matter quickly, saying the district’s constituents are unrepresented while the case sits.

“I therefore respectfully call on the Supreme Court to bring clarity to this matter for the people of District 10 and the Liberian people generally,” Kogar said in a statement posted on his office’s official Facebook page.

The House of Representatives voted on April 17, 2026, to expel Yekeh Y. Kolubah after he said publicly that land disputed between Liberia and Guinea belonged to Guinea and vowed to stand by that position. Lawmakers described the comments as unbecoming of a sitting representative and detrimental to the country’s interests. Kolubah petitioned the Supreme Court to overturn the vote, and the case remains pending.

Kogar pointed to Article 37 of the 1986 Constitution, which requires the presiding officer to notify the National Elections Commission within 30 days of a vacancy arising through death, resignation, expulsion or otherwise, and requires the commission to hold a by-election within 90 days of that notification, except where the vacancy occurs within 90 days of a general election. Counting from April 17, the two periods together expire on Aug. 15.

“On April 17, 2026, the House of Representatives voted to expel Hon. Yekeh Kolubah. He subsequently challenged that decision before the Supreme Court, where the matter remains pending,” Kogar said.

Kogar said he would have taken the matter to the Senate floor but for the Legislature’s recess. “I would have raised this matter formally before the Plenary of the Liberian Senate, but we are currently on break. Nevertheless, I believe this is an important constitutional matter that deserves attention,” he said.

Kolubah’s comments came during heightened tension over the Sorlumba border area in Lofa County, where Guinean troops reportedly entered the disputed territory, removed a Liberian flag and raised Guinea’s while claiming ownership. Diplomatic engagement and intervention by the Economic Community of West African States eased the standoff, but the boundary dispute remains unresolved.