-As NEC Begins Vote Tally
By Shallon S. Gonlor
Nimba County – In the early count from Nimba Tuesday’s Senatorial by-election, independent candidate Edith Gongloe-Weh has surged to a slim lead over her main rival, Samuel Kogar of the MDR-UP alliance, with just 422 votes separating the two frontrunners.
With 42.66% of votes counted from 314 of 736 polling places, provisional results show:
- Edith Gongloe-Weh (Independent): 29,735 votes
- Samuel Kogar (MDR-UP Alliance): 29,313 votes
- Total valid votes counted: 66,446
The National Elections Commission (NEC) began releasing preliminary results Wednesday from its tally centers in Sanniquellie and Tappita, with international observers from the European Union, U.S. Embassy, Carter Center, and National Democratic Institute closely monitoring the process.
The razor-thin margin – representing just 0.6% of counted votes – has set the stage for a potential photo finish in this crucial special election to fill Nimba’s vacant Senate seat. Pundits suggest the remaining 58% of uncounted votes from rural strongholds could still swing the outcome.
