The race for Nimba County’s senatorial seat has taken a dramatic turn as the latest provisional results from the National Elections Commission (NEC) show opposition candidate Samuel G. Kogar (MDR) narrowly overtaking early frontrunner Edith Gongloe Weh (Independent).
With 42.66% of polling places now counted (314 out of 736), Kogar holds a razor-thin lead with 44.05% (22,588 votes), just ahead of Gongloe Weh’s 43.8% (22,460 votes), a difference of only 128 votes.
The NEC’s second provisional update, released Wednesday, reveals a significant shift from earlier results, where Gongloe Weh led by over 3 percentage points. The latest numbers suggest a highly competitive race, with both candidates locked in a dead heat as rural votes continue to be tallied.
Independent candidates Garrison Yealue Jr. (4.1%) and Mark B. Gblinwon (4.0%) remain distant third and fourth, respectively, with no other contenders breaking 1%.
NEC Chairperson Davidetta Browne Lansanah again urged candidates and supporters to refrain from premature declarations, emphasizing that over 57% of votes remain uncounted.
“Every vote must be properly recorded and verified,” Lansanah said. “We remind the public that only the NEC’s final declaration is official.”
With tensions rising, both campaigns have deployed monitors to tally centers to observe the process. Unconfirmed reports of minor disputes at some locations have surfaced, but the NEC has yet to receive formal complaints.
Political analysts suggest that the remaining votes, particularly from more remote areas, could still swing the race either way. Kogar’s strength in districts like Gbehlay-Geh and Yarpea Mahn could prove decisive, while Gongloe Weh’s support in Sanniquellie and other urban centers may help her regain ground.
The NEC is expected to release another update later today as counting continues. With the margin so slim, the possibility of a recount or legal challenge looms if the final results remain tight.
For now, Nimba County, and the nation, watches closely, awaiting a definitive outcome in this fiercely contested by-election.
