|
Getting your Trinity Audio player ready...
|
Security is an important element in any election, particularly a by-election. The possibility of electoral violence in by-elections tends to be higher than in general elections because politicians and supporters converge at a single location, unlike in general elections, where the focus may be divided across the country. The situation is no different as the country prepares for a contentious by-election in Nimba on April 22.
While there is peace in Nimba presently, Joint Security, the citizenry, and candidates must stay alert and ensure a peaceful by-election in Nimba County. In this piece, DUBAWA highlights the preparedness of the Liberia Joint Security to ensure a safe and peaceful by-election in Nimba.
Police Preparation
In a phone conversation, the Commissioner of Police Nimba Detachment, Col. Larmie Mandian, told DUBAWA that the Joint Security is well prepared to ensure the election in Nimba is conducted smoothly.
Commissioner Larmie said the Police have taken measures to prevent electoral violence. According to Col. Mandian, five days ago, the Inspector General of Police Gregory Coleman dispatched 14 Police Support Unit (PSU) and Emergency Response Unit (ERU) Officers in the county to assign two officers to each of the seven candidates in the elections for their security during the campaign period.
“The police under our leadership is prepared enough. What we’ve done since the pronouncement of the election is that we have been engaged with so many community policing activities, specifically in communities that have experienced electoral violence in the past.”
The Police Commander mentioned hosting a meeting with the National Elections Commission Office in Nimba, alongside candidates in the By-Election, to understand their concerns and find amicable means of addressing their plight. He added that the Police have also requested the campaign schedules of every candidate in the race to monitor their activities.
Additionally, Col. Larmie said the Police have already assigned a team of upper and lower Nimba officers for quick security responses and interventions. He named Sanniquellie (“Capitol City” of Nimba) and Saclepea the two major security apparatus stations.
“There are 15 in each station, and they will help respond to issues in these areas quickly. It is not as if we are sensing violence, but it is about proactive measures in case there is anything for the Joint Security to quickly respond to,” he told DUBAWA.
To create a smooth working environment between the Joint Security and the Media, the commissioner confirmed training for the police and the media to understand each other’s roles in the by-election. The event commenced on April 10, 2025, at the Alvino Hotel.
Regarding the security presence on election day, the Nimba Police Commissioner informed DUBAWA that over 800 police officers would be deployed.
Moreover, Commissioner Larmie Mandian described the ongoing campaign process as peaceful while assuring the public of its ability to ensure a coordinated by-election in Nimba.
“It has been peaceful so far from the day campaign activities opened. We haven’t received any complaint from any candidate for political violence. I want to assure the people of Nimba that the county’s Joint Security is prepared enough. We are putting every mechanism into place to ensure that all the candidates campaign freely without any form of intimidation or harassment.”
About the Nimba election?
Citizens of Nimba County will go to the polls on April 22, 2025, to elect a new Senator to replace the late Senator Prince Johnson, who died on Nov 28, 2024. The National Elections Commission announced the official opening of the campaign on March 31, 2025. The campaign will climax on April 19. Nimba is the second-most populated county in Liberia after Montserrado.
Candidates in the Election?
Seven candidates are running in the senatorial by-election: Torbor Tee Wonokay Farngalo (Independent), B. Mack Gblinwon (Citizens Movement for Change), Edith Lianue Gongloe-Weh (Independent), George Parkinson Gonpu (African Democratic Movement), Samuel Gongben Kogar (Movement for Democratic and Reconstruction), Richard Matenokay Tingban (Vision for Liberia Transformation), and Garrison Doldeh Yealue Jr. (Independent).
Screenshot of candidates listing below
How many Polling Places are in Nimba?
According to the National Elections Commission 2023 data, the county has 736 polling places, 262 voting precincts, and 307,254 registered voters. This places Nimba second to Montserrado, which accumulated 901,162 registered voters.
How many districts are in Nimba?
Nimba consists of nine electoral districts, each encompassing multiple administrative districts. The Districts are:
- Garr Bain District:#1
- Garr Bain District #2 (Sanniquellie-Mahn district and Yarpea Mahn District),
- Garr Bain District #3 (Gbehley-Geh district and Yarmein district)
- Nimba District#4 (Gor district and Twah River district)
- Buu-Yao District #5,
- Nimba District#6 (Boe & Quilla district, Gblor district, Doe district, and Kparblee district)
- Nimba district#7 (Zoe-Gbao district and Wee-Gbehy-Mahn district)
- Nimba District#8 (Leewehpea-Mahn district and Meinpea-Mahn district)
- Nimba District#9 (Gbi & Doru district, Doe district, and Yarwein-Mehnsonoh district).
Conclusion
With the measures currently in place by the police, the Joint Security measures are guaranteed for the Nimba By-election.
