-Low turnout across several precincts and polling stations.
By Jerromie S. Walters & Shallon S. Gonlor
SANNIQUELLIE, Nimba County – Liberia’s pivotal Nimba County Senatorial By-election faced logistical disruptions—including locked polling centers, relocated voting sites, and brief tensions—but without major violence, the National Elections Commission (NEC) confirmed Tuesday.
Despite assurances of a smooth process, NEC Chairperson Davidetta Browne Lansanah acknowledged at least seven incidents across multiple districts, forcing officials to improvise with tents, churches, and unfinished buildings to keep voting on track.
Madam Browne Lansanah confirmed voting was delayed at several locations, including Messiah Christian Academy in District #1, where a locked school over unpaid precinct fees required security intervention, while tensions flared at Geolando Public School when party agents demanded public voter roll checks before officials restored order.
Some polling stations were hastily relocated—including a deroofed Venn Town Public School in District #8, where voting moved to a nearby church, and Tappita’s LDEA-occupied civil compound, where tents were erected to accommodate voters. Despite these challenges, Lansanah emphasized that all polling places ultimately opened, with extended hours to compensate for delays, as over 307,000 registered voters cast ballots to fill the seat left vacant by former Senator Prince Johnson.
The commission appealed to candidates and supporters to avoid disruptions, while the Liberia National Police maintained a visible presence at flashpoint sites. Polls closed at 6 p.m., with results expected within days.
Poor turnout
Early voting in the Senatorial By-election saw a strikingly low turnout across all 262 precincts and 736 polling stations, raising concerns about voter disengagement and political disillusionment.
The by-election, held on Tuesday, April 22, 2025, follows the death of long-serving Senator Prince Yormie Johnson on November 28, 2024. Johnson, whose tenure began in 2005, held the record for the longest continuous service in the Liberian Senate. Re-elected in 2014 and again in 2023, his final term was expected to run until 2032.
Seven candidates are competing to fill the vacant seat, but the election has been overshadowed by debates over tribal representation, political dominance, and the enduring influence of the late senator, who was both a controversial kingmaker and a powerful political figure in Nimba.
The election was marked by an alarmingly low turnout. Preliminary estimates indicate that fewer than half of the county’s 307,254 registered voters cast their ballots. Observers and residents attribute the poor participation to widespread frustration with politicians, who many believe have repeatedly failed to deliver on campaign promises.
Why Did Voters Stay Away?
Women Voices Nimba County Correspondent spoke with residents, poll workers, and community leaders to understand the reasons behind the low turnout. Key factors cited include: Political Disengagement, Broken Promises, Lack of Direct Engagement, and Systemic Barriers.
Many voters expressed apathy, believing that their votes would not lead to meaningful change. Community leaders noted that politicians often neglect constituents after elections, leading to distrust. Some candidates were criticized for failing to communicate effectively with voters, leaving many uninformed or uninterested. Challenges such as transportation difficulties and voter registration issues also discouraged participation.
