The Election Coordinating Committee, Liberia Election Observation Network, and West Africa Network for Peacebuilding have deployed over One Hundred election observers for the senatorial Nimba by-election.
The groups are urging all Nimbians to go to the polls on Tuesday, April 22, and vote for their candidate peacefully.
The Nimba County by-election is being held to fill the vacancy created by the passing of long-serving Senator Prince Y. Johnson.
With over 300,000 registered voters, Nimba County stands as Liberia’s second-most populous county, making this election both significant and potentially competitive.
In a joint statement issued on Monday, the three organizations urged Nimbaians to turn out peacefully and cast their votes, emphasizing the importance of a violence-free electoral process.
They called on voters to “disregard historical grievances and the pursuit of political power” in favor of safeguarding peace and democracy.
The National Elections Commission (NEC) has certified seven candidates, including one woman, for the by-election.
“ECC, LEON, and WANEP applauded the NEC’s efforts in vetting candidates and delivering materials in a timely manner, and they expressed hope that this election will set a precedent for increased women’s participation in Liberian politics,” the joint statement read.
The organizations reiterated their call for political actors to honor their commitments to the Farmington Declaration and the VAWie Protocol, which prohibit electoral violence and promote inclusivity.
The three institutions commended the Joint Security Task Force, led by Inspector General Gregory Coleman, for maintaining a strong presence and ensuring safety across the county.
They also acknowledged local CSOs and the NEC for their robust civic and voter education initiatives.
“On Election Day, ECC, LEON, and WANEP will operate a joint election data center in Ganta to collect and analyze real-time reports from across the county.”
Contuning, the statement noted: “A County Election Response Group (CERG), established by WANEP, will monitor and respond to potential risks through coordination with NEC, security forces, and key partners.”
