SANNIQUELLIE, Nimba County – Voting in the Nimba County Senatorial by-election began without major disruptions Tuesday, with all 262 precincts and 736 polling places opening on schedule at 8 a.m., according to the National Elections Commission (NEC).
Speaking at a mid-afternoon press conference at the Nimba County Administration Building in Sanniquellie, NEC Chairperson Davidetta Browne Lansanah confirmed that the by-election had so far proceeded peacefully across the county’s two magisterial districts—Upper Nimba (Tappita) and Lower Nimba (Sanniquellie)—where 307,254 registered voters are expected to cast ballots before polls close at 6 p.m.
“This process is about ensuring that every voice is heard, and every vote counts,” Lansanah said. “We remain committed to delivering a credible, peaceful, and transparent electoral process for the people of Nimba County and Liberia at large.”
The NEC boss was joined by fellow commissioners, senior NEC staff, and international partners including the UNDP, UN Women, and the European Union. Representatives from civil society organizations and the media were also present at the briefing.
Minor Disruptions Addressed Swiftly
While commending the largely calm atmosphere, Lansanah acknowledged a handful of localized issues that required immediate NEC intervention.
In District #1, the Messiah Christian Academy (Precinct 33075) failed to open on time due to the facility being locked. NEC staff, with help from local security personnel, resolved the issue and voting commenced.
A few meters away at Giolando Public School (Precinct 33076), tensions flared when party agents demanded that polling staff read out the names of voters. The matter was quickly deescalated by on-site security.
In District #8, polling had to be relocated from a derelict school building to a nearby church after NEC staff discovered the structure had been de-roofed. A similar logistical shuffle occurred in District #6, where NEC polling operations were moved to a makeshift tent due to the Liberia Drug Enforcement Agency occupying the designated polling site.
At Vanpa (Precinct 33111), renovations at Venpark School initially prevented polling staff from accessing the premises. NEC relocated voting to another facility within the same compound to ensure continuity.
“These issues, though regrettable, have been resolved or are under active review,” Lansanah assured.
Staffing, Civic Education, and Turnout
Responding to media inquiries regarding staffing irregularities—particularly at the J.W. Pearson campus in Ganta, where staff names were reportedly scratched out on posted lists—the NEC clarified that all recruitment was done via an online platform, and that lists were made public ahead of time. Lansanah confirmed the matter is under investigation.
She also addressed growing concerns over apparent low voter turnout in certain areas, despite the early civic education campaign launched by the Commission.
“We began our outreach early, but it is clear we must deepen community-level engagement,” Lansanah said, suggesting that future programs could benefit from closer collaboration with local town authorities. She further proposed the inclusion of civic education in Liberia’s national school curriculum.
Results Expected Within 48 Hours
The NEC Chairperson announced that preliminary results will be released on Wednesday, April 23, at two scheduled intervals—1 p.m. and 6 p.m. The final outcome is expected within 48 hours, well ahead of the constitutionally mandated 15-day deadline for official certification.
To speed up the vote tallying process, the Commission has increased the number of counting teams from four to five and has decentralized operations across the two magisterial hubs of Sanniquellie and Tappita.
Lansanah highlighted the use of NEC’s new real-time monitoring system, supported by the UNDP, which enables remote observation of the voting process. The technology, she said, is a step forward in enhancing electoral transparency and accountability.
She thanked the Government of Liberia for funding the by-election and expressed appreciation to the NEC’s partners and staff, security agencies, and the media for supporting the process.
“We’re not just electing a senator,” Lansanah concluded. “We are reaffirming our commitment to democracy and the rule of law.”
The NEC’s next official update is scheduled for 6:00 p.m. this evening.
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