The National Elections Commission of Liberia (NEC) has confirmed receipt of a formal communication from the House of Representatives, notifying the Commission of a vacancy in the 55th National Legislature.
According to the letter addressed to NEC Chairperson Madam Davidetta Browne Lansanah, the vacant seat is in Nimba County’s Electoral District #5 and comes as a result of the election of Representative Samuel G. Kogar to another post, though specific details of his new position were not immediately disclosed.
The notification, dated 26 May 2025 and signed by Chief Clerk Mildred N. Sayon, formally requests the NEC to act in line with its constitutional mandate to conduct a by-election to fill the vacancy. The letter also affirms that NEC’s chairperson has the legal and sufficient authority to proceed with preparations for the election.
The action is in keeping with Article 37 of the 1986 Constitution of Liberia, which mandates that:
“In the event of a vacancy in the Legislature caused by death, resignation, expulsion or otherwise, the presiding officer shall within 30 days notify the Elections Commission thereof; the Elections Commission shall not later than 90 days thereafter cause a By-election to be held; provided that where such vacancy occurs within 90 days prior to the holding of general elections, the filling of the vacancy shall await the holding of such general elections.”
NEC is now expected to announce the official timeline for the pending by-election in the coming days.
