Preliminary results from the National Elections Commission (NEC) in Nimba County’s senatorial by-election show independent candidate Edith Gongloe Weh taking an early lead, with 7,275 votes (46.55%) to Samuel Kogar’s 6,725 votes (43.03%), based on tallies from 94 out of 736 polling places. The tightly contested race, held to fill the seat left vacant by the late Senator Prince Y. Johnson, has drawn significant attention due to the high-profile endorsements and the ethnic dynamics shaping voting patterns across the county.
In districts dominated by the Mano ethnic group, such as Ganta and Sanniquellie, Gongloe Weh has posted strong numbers, consistently outpacing Kogar at several polling stations. For instance, at George Dunbar Public School in District One, Gongloe Weh secured 170 votes to Kogar’s 32, and similar margins were observed at other polling places in the area. Meanwhile, Kogar, representing the Movement for Democracy and Reconstruction (MDR), is dominating in Gio-majority regions like Buehlay in District Five and Kpaytua Public School in District Seven, where he received overwhelming support.
Observers note that while Gongloe Weh’s early lead is notable, the race remains highly competitive. The by-election has also been marked by low voter turnout, a trend attributed to the nature of election. By-elctions in Liberia are often marked by low turnouts with average of 37% – 40%. Both leading candidates have called for transparency and calm, with Gongloe Weh urging her supporters to remain peaceful and vigilant as the count continues.
With only a fraction of polling places reporting, the final outcome remains uncertain. The NEC has commended the peaceful conduct of the vote and is expected to release further updates as counting progresses.
