Liberia is on the verge of conducting pivotal by-elections, scheduled for April 23, 2024, for a Senatorial seat in Nimba County and a Representative seat for District #1 in Grand Gedeh County. Nimba County, the country’s second-largest Senatorial constituency in number of registered voters with over 300,000 and is at the forefront of national political consideration. These two electoral events arrive amidst a backdrop of the successful 2023 general elections in Liberia and a broader African context where 19 countries are poised to conduct general or presidential elections this year.
QUICK FACTS
- 19 qualified as candidates to run in legislative by-elections (Nimba Senatorial-4 candidates and Grand Gedeh, Electoral District No. 1, Representative-15 candidates).
- The absence of female candidates in the Senatorial race raises concerns about inclusivity during the electoral process.
- NEC reports Nimba County with 307,254 registered voters and Grand Gedeh County, Electoral District No. 1 with 20,407.
In Nimba, the April 2024 by-election is necessitated by the election of former Nimba County Senator Jeremiah Koung as vice president of Liberia in the recently held presidential election and runoff on October 10, and November 14, 2023, respectively. In Grand Gedeh, Representative Erol Madison Gwion, Representative-elect of District No. 1, who was elected during the October 10, 22023, legislative elections met with an untimely death in November_ 2023. A by-election provides the chance to elect a new candidate to fill the empty seat, giving voters another opportunity to voice their preferences. Unplanned by-elections, though typically smaller and less expensive than regular elections, tend to strain national budgets, especially in countries where floor crossing or party expulsions are common. Additionally, by-elections often receive less observer and media coverage compared to general elections, the latter of which may contribute to lower voter turnout rates.
The National Elections Commission (NEC) is diligently preparing for the upcoming polls. Candidate nomination and verification, replacement of lost or damaged voter ID cards, civic and voter education launch and rollout, training of polling officials, and printing of the final registration roll have all been completed. A substantial voter turnout is anticipated in Nimba County, with 307,254 registered voters, and Grand Gedeh County, Electoral District No. 1 with 20,407 registered voters (Source: NEC 2023). On April 9, 2024, the NEC reported complete readiness for the by-elections, noting that ballots are due in country this week, and will be distributed to the NEC’s magisterial offices upon arrival.
A total of 19 candidates are contesting various positions, including four for the senatorial seat and 15 for the representative seat. The notable absence of female candidates in the senatorial race, however, raises concerns about the inclusivity of the electoral process. The representative race has 3 women candidates. Given past instances of electoral violence in Nimba and Grand Gedeh counties during the 2023 general elections, it is imperative for all Liberians and relevant stakeholders to uphold democratic principles to mitigate against undemocratic practices. Liberia’s democratic strength lies in the resilience of its citizens and institutions against violence and divisive rhetoric.
As the upcoming by-elections serve as another test for Liberian democracy and tolerance, addressing significant threats and vulnerabilities is crucial to consolidate electoral gains. Efforts by security forces and other groups should be directed towards monitoring and mitigating acts of violence and political provocation and collecting data for future analysis. The Liberian security forces are requested to improve communication, coordination, and the sharing of information regarding security arrangements to safeguard the integrity of the electoral process and instill confidence among voters, building upon the commendable efforts of the Joint Security Councils (JSCs) during the 2023 general elections. Steps by the NEC and security forces should be taken to ensure that officials and officers are paid their due wages timely and accurately to apply lessons from the 2023 electoral experience.
Noting that the campaign period opened on April 4, and ends on April 20, 2024, EISA encourages political parties and candidates to commit to the principles of safety, security, tolerance, and diversity in adherence to and even beyond the Farmington River Declaration made in 2023. As leaders, they are requested to assert a leading role as advocates for peace and stability on all societal levels. Peaceful campaigning and tolerance of political diversity are essential indicators of democratic strength.
A by-election provides the chance to elect a new candidate to fill the empty seat, giving voters another opportunity to voice their preferences.
The prevalence of invalid votes in previous elections underscores the necessity for improved civic education and voter awareness. The responsibility lies with the NEC, political parties, community leaders, and civil society organizations to ensure comprehensive civic and voter education, thereby reducing the potential for invalid votes. Election officials must receive adequate training to process ballots and identify invalid votes to uphold the integrity of the electoral process.
In conclusion, Liberians participating in the upcoming by-elections must prioritize correct voting practices and registered voters are encouraged to turnout and exercise their franchise. Civic and voter education initiatives play a crucial role in reducing invalid votes, necessitating targeted outreach strategies. Additionally, political party youth leaders and social media platforms must commit to promoting responsible online discourse to counter mis/dis-information and hate speech. The involvement of Liberian civic institutions and domestic and international observer groups is paramount in augmenting the efforts of the electoral commission and security forces toward peaceful elections and active civic participation.
About USAID Support to EISA-IEOM to Liberia: The USAID-funded EISA International Election Observation Mission (EISA-IEOM) Activity seeks to enhance the integrity of the 2023 Liberia Presidential and Legislative elections through the deployment of an independent international election observer mission (EOM) to monitor, assess and report on all phases of the electoral process by international and regional benchmarks. The IEOM is implemented in close coordination with the financial support of USAID/Liberia and will complement the efforts of other electoral stakeholders.
