Gov’t Approves US$2M For Nimba’s By-Election -As NEC Concludes Candidate Nomination Exercise

By Bill W. Cooper
The Chairperson of the National Elections Commission (NEC), Davidetta Browne Lansanah, has officially announced the receipt of US$2 million from the government to facilitate the upcoming senatorial by-election in Nimba County.
The financial support from the government, according to the Commission, is intended to ensure a smooth electoral process as the country prepares for a critical vote that will fill a vacant seat in the Liberian Senate.
However, the upcoming Nimba by-election is necessitated by the death of former Senator Prince Yormie Johnson, who died on November 28, 2024, and following his burial on January 17, 2025, after which the Senate officially notified the NEC of the vacancy in line with the Constitution.
Nimba County, known for its rich cultural heritage and strategic importance, has historically been a ‘battleground’ for political parties, making the upcoming election a focal point for both local and national interests and a path road for the 2029 elections.
Before the by-election budget ‘s rigmarole, it was reported on February 17, 2025, that the NEC submitted a budget of over US$2.5 million for the election, something that raised concerns over its realism and transparency.
However, multiple sources from within the Commission further described the budget as excessive and unjustified, particularly when compared to the US$1.7 million spent on the 2024 senatorial by-election in the same county.
Speaking to a team of reporters over the weekend, during the conclusion of the candidates’ nomination exercise for the by-election, Madam Browne Lansanah expressed her gratitude to the government for timely approving the funds.
She also emphasized the importance of financial support in enhancing the commission’s capacity to conduct free, fair, and transparent elections, noting, “This funding will enable us to cover essential logistics.”
“And these essential logistics for the by-election include voter education, ballot printing, and the recruitment and deployment of electoral staff to ensure that the by-election is conducted efficiently,” the NEC Boss revealed.
Meanwhile, the Commission has also concluded its candidates’ nomination exercise, a process that attracted candidates from various political parties, as well as independent aspirants vying for the vacant senatorial seat.
She, however, disclosed that the Commission issued a total of 11 nomination packages to individuals expressing interest in contesting the by-election, but only eight of the packages were returned to the Commission by the conclusion of the nomination period.
Madam Browne-Lansanah further revealed that of the eight completed nomination forms received, seven were submitted by male aspirants, while one was submitted by a female aspirant representing both Political Parties and Independent.
She then assured the public that the Commission remains committed to conducting a free, fair, and transparent by-election in line with its constitutional mandate but called on the citizenry to refrain from engaging in any act of electoral violence, as violator(s) will be dealt with within the ambit of the law.