The Elections Coordinating Committee (ECC) has counseled the residents of Nimba County District Quantity 5 for his or her peaceable participation within the by-election held on August 12, 2025.
The ECC deployed a particular commentary mission to watch the pre-election and election-day processes for the consultant by-election, the third such election in Nimba County because the 2023 basic elections. This by-election was performed to fill the emptiness created by the election of Hon. Samuel Kogar to the Senate following the April 2025 Nimba Senatorial by-election.
In a press assertion, the ECC commentary mission discovered that the election was performed in a usually calm, peaceable, and orderly method, with voters turning out step by step to forged their ballots. This assertion displays findings noticed immediately by the ECC workforce throughout polling precincts, together with the setup and opening of polls, the voting course of, and the closing and counting of votes. The ECC additionally noticed the tabulation of outcomes on the Sanniquelleh Magisterial Workplace/Tally Middle by means of its County Coordinator.
The ECC will proceed to interact in post-election processes and provide suggestions as acceptable.
Nationwide Election Fee (NEC) Preparations, Supplies, and Logistics
The NEC confirmed that each one mandatory preparations had been in place for a easy and credible election. The ECC later verified these preparations throughout its deployment from August 10–12, 2025, led by Board Chair Malcolm Wleemogar Joseph, to Buutuo, Nimba County, Electoral District 5.
The ECC noticed the deployment of election supplies and polling workers to varied precincts, together with the handover of supplies to the Zoe-Geh Statutory District Superintendent for safekeeping previous to Election Day.
Election Day Remark and Key Findings
The ECC commentary workforce reported that election day was performed in a relaxed and peaceable setting. Voters turned out step by step and voted in an orderly method, and queue administration remained easy all through the day. Key stakeholders—together with NEC officers, safety forces, political occasion brokers, and worldwide observers—had been current and engaged. NEC officers adhered to established voting procedures, and polling supplies had been out there and correctly managed.
The ECC commends the NEC for its preparedness and the Liberia Nationwide Police (LNP) for offering safety.
Arrival at Voting Precincts & Polling Locations
- The ECC obtained accreditation from the NEC days forward of the election and noticed 7 of the 21 designated voting precincts and 25 of 69 polling locations in Electoral District 5.
- By 7:45 a.m., the workforce arrived at Buutuo Central Excessive Faculty (Precinct Code 33025) to look at the setup of three polling locations. Safety personnel had been current, and all mandatory delicate supplies had been in place.
Opening of Polls
- Voting usually commenced on time, between 8:00 and eight:15 a.m. throughout noticed polling locations.
- Get together brokers and LEON observers had been current in any respect polling locations.
Polling Place Set-Up
- Delicate election supplies—together with the FRR, poll papers, indelible ink, poll stamps, and accounting varieties—had been out there in any respect noticed areas.
- Groups included a mean of 5 NEC workers, with at the very least two girls officers per workforce.
- Poll containers had been proven empty, sealed with 4 seals, and polling areas had been accessible to all voters, together with the aged and bodily challenged.
Voting Course of
- NEC workers adopted voting procedures, together with voter ID verification, inking of fingers, and poll stamping.
- Voting screens ensured poll secrecy, and precedence was given to the aged, pregnant girls, and voters with disabilities.
- Safety personnel, occasion brokers, and observers from varied political events (VOLT, LPDP, MDR, NDC, and independents) monitored the method.
Closing and Counting
- The ECC deployed a seven-member commentary workforce to watch closing and counting at Beeplay Public Faculty (Precinct Code 33009), which included 5 polling locations.
- The counting course of was peaceable, with NEC officers adhering to procedures. Get together brokers, safety officers, a UNDP observer, and a Liberia Broadcasting System correspondent had been current.
- All occasion brokers accepted the outcomes, and no complaints had been filed. Voting supplies had been safely transported to the NEC Magisterial Workplace for tabulation.
Important Incident
- One incident occurred in Nyor Gormahplay City, the place a person tried to vote whereas carrying a firearm. He was arrested and detained at Bahn Police Station. No additional particulars had been out there to the ECC workforce, which was observing elsewhere.
Tally of Outcomes
- The ECC County Coordinator noticed the tally on the Sanniquelleh Magisterial Workplace, which proceeded easily within the presence of media and observers.
- The NEC declared Korto Sehwongbay Kwagrue of the Motion for Democracy and Reconstruction (MDR) the winner of the by-election throughout an official press briefing.
Suggestions
- The NEC is inspired to adjudicate all electoral disputes pretty, transparently, and in a well timed method.
- Political events and candidates with grievances ought to observe due course of and chorus from inciting violence.
About ECC
The Elections Coordinating Committee (ECC) is Liberia’s largest home election commentary community, established in 2010, with numerous experience in democracy, elections, and governance. Member organizations embrace:
- Middle for Democratic Governance (CDG)
- Middle for Media Research and Peace Constructing (CEMESP)
- Middle for Battle Prevention and Peacebuilding (CECPAP)
- Institute for Analysis and Democratic Improvement (IREDD)
- Naymote Companions for Democratic Improvement (NAYMOTE-PADD)
- West Africa Community for Peace Constructing (WANEP)
- Girls NGO Secretariat of Liberia (WONGOSOL)
