BY: SHALLON S. GONLOR / shallonsgonlor@gmail.com
NIMBA COUNTY — The political atmosphere in Nimba County District 5 Representative By-election is becoming tense by the day amid allegations of early campaigning, violence, and intimidation. Supporters of Cole Williams — a would-be representative candidate in the crucial District 5, Nimba County Representative Byelection have condemned and described as “Gross violation” pre-campaigning before the official start.
Appearing on Radio Nimba in Sanniquellie City early Saturday morning, Sam Guzian Sayee and Ojuku Duo, supporters of representative aspirant Cole Williams accused supporters of aspirants Kortor Kwagrue and Boris Barlea of smelled campaign in front of the NEC-Liberia Upper Nimba magisterial office in Sanniquellie — chanting slogans, posting flyers, and rallying voters’ support, something which according to them violates the rules set by the National Elections Commission.
Sayee and Duo’s allegation stems from their visit to the National Elections Commission local office in Sanniquellie to monitor the ongoing replacement process for voters who lost, damaged, or misplaced their voter registration cards, but were shocked by overwhelming pre-campaigning with flyers carrying aspirants Kortor Kwagrue and Boris Barlea placed on cellphones, motorbikes, cars, and others.
NEC-Liberia Upper Nimba County Magisterial Office in Sanniquellie on July 8-13, 2025 applied Section 3.5 of Liberia’s New Elections Law in District 5, Nimba County Representative Byelection — replacing eligible voters who lost or damaged their voter cards at a mandatory fee of USD 5.00. The enforcement of this policy is in line with Section 3.5(2) of Liberia’s New Elections Law, which states:
“In the event of loss or destruction of voter registration cards, and after proof has been established, the registrar shall issue a new card for a minimum fee of five ($5.00) dollars to be paid to Internal Revenue.”
Sayee and Duo argued that the voter cards replacement process is marked by fraud and lacked procedural steps, and monitoring and evaluation aspects.
“From last night when we arrived at this place, there have been a whole lot of trucks coming with people yelling over the truck; we like our Kortor business; we like our Boris Barlea business…” they stated. Team Cole Williams emphasized that the campaign is yet to officially be declared open for the byelection, raising alarm over early campaign as sole concern — “we are calling on the local leaders of Nimba County and the authority of NEC-Liberia to get involved, safeguard the byelection in Nimba County District 5.”
Sayee and Duo expressed frustration as quite unfortunate before the election magistrates of the NEC to see people chant battle cries as well as bring aspirants’ flyers and banners on people’s cars, trucks, and buses in the compound of the local office. “It’s quite frustrating and devastating; our county is very unique; apart from Montserrado County, people from other counties should learn from Nimba; when it comes to the politics of Liberia, Nimba is the second county that people count on. So why can’t we be the example that the rest of the counties will learn from us and remember this election,” supporters of Team Cole Williams said.
Describing the polls as a “powerful expression” of democratic responsibility, the two members of Team Cole Williams emphasised the role of citizens in the electoral process as essential and driving grassroots development. “This election is not just a constitutional process; it is a powerful expression of our voices and our civic responsibility; it is our right. We urge every registered voter to go out peacefully in law and order.”
“To ensure a safe, orderly, and credible election, we are also calling on all election stakeholders and the Liberian Government to have state security be strategically deployed across the district to protect voters, electoral officials, and election materials.”
However, when contacted the NEC-Liberia Upper Nimba Magistrate, Milton Paye for a response to the allegation of pre-campaigning before the NEC local official, Magistrate Paye reserved comment, saying no formal complain has been filed with his office (NEC) in connection with the accusation.
Responding to the grief accusation, A. Curtis Bantu Miamen, a member of Team Kortor Kwagrue distances the team from the allegation levied by their accuser (Team Cole Williams), — termed it as “childish and false alarm.” “Well, first of all, I want to say thank you for coming in, but the information going around is actually false and misleading.”
Miamen said since Team Kortor Kwagrue and others accused arrival in Sanniquellie at the local magisterial office of the National Elections Commission not a supporter of any politician has chanted campaign slogan, sing nor paraded with placards as being alleged. “We came here since and been waiting for our voters card process to go through; not at all; we never even came here with flyers.”
Miamen slammed Team Cole Williams’ allegation as a weak political game-play intended to instill fear in voters and drive away their supporters. He urged citizens of Nimba County District 5 to remain calm and peaceful, warning Team Cole Williams against mere propaganda; disinformation, and misinformation and relay facts to the people. “…that is a fallacy; very false and misleading.”
For his part, Eric N. Death, Jr., from the camp of representative hopeful Jackson Yuo who was not mentioned in the accusation denied chanting of battle cry or a political slogan at the local office NEC-Liberia in Sanniquellie. “Actually, this NEC area is a restricted area and I haven’t seen such thing like someone chanting battle cry,” Eric said.
He added, “But what I do see here is a lot of flyers around with aspirant photos; I mean, it shouldn’t have been so.” Deah further expressed his frustration over the delay at the NEC-Liberia Upper Nimba Magisterial Office in the replacement of the voters’ cards. “Actually, it’s a kind of slow process in the replacement…”
Voters in District 5, Nimba County Representative Byelection will go to the polls to replace former representative now Senator Samuel Kogar, who was recently elected as Senator of Nimba County.
Voting will take place August 12, 2025, from 8am – 6pm. When contacted, NEC-Liberia Upper Nimba Magistrate, Milton Paye said no formal complain has been forwarded to his office (NEC) in connection with the accusation.
