Monrovia – The Movement for Democracy and Reconstruction (MDR) has withdrawn its complaint against two candidates contesting the upcoming Nimba County senatorial by-election. The complaint, which had been scheduled for hearing today before the National Elections Commission (NEC), accused the candidates of violating electoral laws and called for their disqualification.
The MDR had challenged the eligibility of independent candidates Mr. Tee Wonokay-Farngalo and Madam Edith L. Gongloe-Weh, alleging serious breaches of election regulations. The party argued that Mr. Wonokay-Farngalo’s candidacy was invalid because he had previously contested in Montserrado County District #3 during the 2023 General and Presidential Elections—a move that could violate provisions restricting multiple candidacies across different districts within the same electoral cycle.
In addition, the MDR accused Madam Gongloe-Weh of engaging in fraudulent voter registration, claiming she used her sister as a proxy to register in Nimba County. The NEC had set April 3, 2025, as the date for the hearing, to be held at its Sinkor headquarters in the James M. Fromayan Conference Hall.
However, just a day before the scheduled proceeding, the MDR formally retracted its complaint without public explanation, fueling speculation across the political spectrum. The withdrawal letter, submitted on April 2, has raised eyebrows and prompted widespread conjecture about possible behind-the-scenes negotiations or internal party disagreements.
Candidate Tee Wonokay-Farngalo reacted strongly to the development. While welcoming the dismissal of the case, he expressed dissatisfaction with the MDR’s action, accusing the party of deliberately tarnishing his image and disrupting his campaign momentum.
“They caused a serious delay in my campaign and spread falsehoods that affected my reputation. I will pursue legal action to hold them accountable,” he told reporters shortly after the withdrawal was made official.
Sources within the NEC confirmed that the case had been struck off the hearing docket, but noted that the Commission remains committed to ensuring the integrity of the electoral process. The by-election is scheduled to take place later this month and is considered a critical contest in Nimba, one of Liberia’s most politically influential counties.
Political analysts believe the MDR’s sudden retreat could be strategic, possibly aimed at avoiding a protracted legal battle that might expose weaknesses in their claims. Others suggest internal conflicts within the party or negotiations with influential actors in Nimba may have led to the quiet withdrawal.
Madam Gongloe-Weh, who has consistently denied the allegations against her, called the withdrawal “a vindication of truth,” adding that her campaign will continue to focus on service and accountability.
The NEC has recently taken a firmer approach to electoral violations. Just weeks ago, the Commission disqualified another candidate, Prophet Key, from the same race over fraudulent voter registration. The quick reversal in MDR’s case, however, highlights the high-stakes nature of Nimba’s by-election, and the extent to which legal and political maneuvering could shape its outcome.
As the race intensifies, all eyes now turn to the campaign trail, where candidates are jostling for momentum in what is expected to be a fiercely contested vote.
Discussion about this post