Monrovia, Liberia – As Nimbaians go to the poll on Tuesday, April 22, 2025 to exercise their constitutional franchise in filling the vacancy of the county’s Senatorial seat, the National Civil Society Council of Liberia (NCSCL) has urged eligible voters to go about the process peacefully.
The pending Nimba County Senatorial By-election is neccesitated by Article 37 of the 1986 Liberian Constitution contingent on the death of doyen Senator Prince Yormie Johnson, alias “PYJ.”
Article 37 of the Liberian Constitution states that: “In the event of a vacancy in the Legislature caused by death, resignation, expulsion or otherwise, the presiding officer shall within 30 days notify the Elections Commission thereof. The Elections Commission shall not later than 90 days thereafter cause a by election to be held; provided that where such vacancy occurs within 90 days prior to the holding of general elections, the filling of the vacancy shall await the holding of such general elections.”
Amid what has been described as a tension-packed campaign process during the last two weeks, the CSO Council in a statement issued at the weekend, urged the people of Nimba County to troop to the poll on Election Day to vote peacefully for the candidate of their choice.
According to the Council, the ensuing election is in continuing test of the nation’s florishing democracy and a big test to the Unity Party (UP) led government since it assumed state power.
The Council indicates that the Nimba County Senatorial By-election presents not only a test for Nimbaians and the government; it is an opportunity to enhance public trust in the country’s electoral body – the National Elections Commission (NEC) as this will be the second major election conducted in the county since the 2023 Presidential and Legislative Elections.
“The National Civil Society Council wants use this medium to call on all eligible voters of Nimba County to come out in their numbers on Tuesday and go to their respective voting pricincts and centers to cast their ballot peacefully for their candidate of their choice,” asserts the statement signed by Chairperson, Madam Loretta Alethea Pope-Kai.
“For us, as a Council, we wholeheartedly reaffirm our commitment to working with the Government of Liberia and all stakeholders in the process as we move to consolidate democracy, peace and stability. We wish the people of Nimba a peaceful and successful process, comes Tuesday, April 22, 2025. We are hopeful that the outcome of the election will truly reflect the freely expressed will of the people of Nimba County,” the statement adds.
