By Grace Q. Bryant
The National Elections Commission (NEC) has officially issued a writ of election for the upcoming Nimba County senatorial by-election, scheduled to take place on April 22, 2025.
Addressing the media in Monrovia, NEC Acting Chairperson, Cllr. P. Teplah Reeves, announced that the commission had received an official communication from the Liberian Senate, informing them of a vacancy in the Senate following the death of Nimba County Senator Prince Y. Johnson.
She further stated that the Senate had requested the NEC to conduct a by-election within the constitutionally mandated 90-day period.
Cllr. Reeves referenced Chapter 5, Article 37 of the 1986 Constitution of Liberia, which states:
“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,” she said.
This constitutional provision ensures that vacant legislative seats are promptly filled through a by-election unless the vacancy arises close to a general election.
The NEC Acting Chairperson also announced that the deadline for the nomination of candidates whether from registered political parties, coalitions, alliances, or independent aspirants would be March 4, 2025, at 5:00 PM.
She urged NEC magistrates to adhere strictly to the commission’s guidelines and work in coordination with the Board of Commissioners to ensure that the by-election is conducted in a free, fair, transparent, and credible manner.
In response, Nimba County’s Senior NEC Magistrate, Z. Azanto Lekpor, assured the public of the commission’s commitment to conducting a transparent and impartial election.
He commended the NEC Board of Commissioners for their leadership and pledged to uphold the principles of electoral integrity in the process.
The upcoming by-election is expected to be a highly anticipated event in Nimba County and Liberia as a whole.
