Independent senatorial candidate Edith Gongloe Weh has surged ahead in early results from Monday’s closely watched Nimba County senatorial by-election, according to partial tallies released by the National Elections Commission (NEC).
With just over 12% of polling places counted, Gongloe Weh leads with 46.55% of the vote, followed by Movement for Democracy and Reconstruction (MDR) candidate Samuel G. Kogar at 43.03%. The race remains competitive as tallying continues across the county’s 736 polling stations.
NEC Chairperson Davidetta Browne Lansanah, speaking at a press conference in Sanniquellie on Tuesday, cautioned candidates and supporters against premature victory claims.
“When we say it, that’s when it becomes authentic,” Lansanah emphasized, reiterating that only the NEC has the authority to declare official results.
The early results, drawn from 94 polling places, show Gongloe Weh with 7,275 votes against Kogar’s 6,725, a narrow but notable gap. Other candidates, including Garrison Yealue Jr. (Independent) and Mark B. Gblinwon (CMC), trail significantly.
The electoral process has not been without controversy. Lansanah confirmed incidents of torn tally sheets at some polling stations, a recurring issue in Liberian elections. However, she assured the public that official records remain intact and that results are being verified in the presence of party agents.
“We urge all citizens to respect the democratic process,” Lansanah said, calling for calm as tallying progresses.
Poor road conditions in remote areas have delayed the retrieval of election materials, but Lansanah affirmed that all documents are being securely transported to magisterial offices for auditing.
NEC officials also addressed minor discrepancies in vote tabulation, attributing them to calculation errors that are corrected during verification. Political party representatives and NEC staff oversee the process to ensure transparency.
Despite the tight race, no official complaints have been lodged by candidates or parties regarding the election’s conduct, a positive sign, according to the NEC.
Lansanah commended voters, observers, and the media for their role in maintaining order and encouraged the public to await further updates. The next results announcement is expected by 6 p.m. Wednesday.
As Nimba County holds its breath, the focus now shifts to the remaining 87% of uncounted votes. Will Gongloe Weh maintain her lead, or will Kogar close the gap? For now, the NEC’s message is clear: let the process unfold.
