Published: August 15, 2025
GANTA, Nimba County —Two candidates in the recently concluded Nimba County District 5 representative by-election are challenging the official results, alleging irregularities in the vote-counting process and demanding immediate recounts.
Independent candidate Bories B. Barlea, who finished second with 3,938 votes, or 25.78 percent, to winner Kortor Sehwongbay Kwagrue, accused the National Elections Commission (NEC) of “manipulations” during the tallying process. He claimed irregularities occurred at the commission’s tally center in Sanniquillie and at eight polling precincts across the district.
In a press statement, Barlea said he has formally filed a complaint with the NEC requesting a recount at the affected locations — Teaplay, Bleemieplay, Lepula, Dinplay, Gruzeanplay, Beadatuo, Gbloulay and Beeplay.
“While it is true that the National Elections Commission has announced the results, we have officially written our complaints requesting a recount in eight polling precincts across the district,” Barlea said. “Anything short of a partial recount would render the NEC’s results unfair and an effort to handpick a leader for the people of the district.”
He urged supporters to remain “resilient and peaceful” while awaiting the NEC hearing, scheduled for Friday at 10 a.m. in the commission’s Upper Nimba office in Sanniquillie. Barlea said he would “graciously accept” the results once a partial recount is completed.
Candidate Madee Kamah Wongbay also rejected the NEC’s results, alleging the commission reduced her tally from 995 votes to just 20, to her detriment and in favor of Kwagrue.
Although she said she does not have copies of the tally sheets, Wongbay told The Liberian Investigator her claim is based on reports from her observers at polling centers. She added that while 995 votes would not have secured her victory, the alleged vote reduction was intended to weaken her political standing and discourage women from contesting future elections in the district.
Wongbay said the same thing happened to her in 2023 when she contested the same seat, claiming the NEC cut her votes from 995 to 23. She described the commission’s actions as part of an effort to “marginalize women” and deter international organizations from supporting female political participation in Nimba County.
“They are trying to make us irrelevant — not to be important in decision-making and discouraging international organizations from supporting women’s political participation,” she said.
Wongbay said her team will soon file an official complaint requesting a recount, urging the NEC to promptly address post-election grievances to avoid eroding public trust and setting “a dangerous precedent” for future polls.
NEC Upper Nimba Magistrate Milton Paye confirmed to The Liberian Investigator by phone that his office had received Barlea’s complaint but had not yet received one from Wongbay or any other candidate.
The NEC declared Kwagrue winner of the Aug. 12 by-election.
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