International Partners Caution NEC, LNP, Others to Be Impartial in Upcoming Nimba County By-Election

Michael T
Apr 21
2 min read

Flags and Logos of Liberia's Development Partners

Liberia’s upcoming Nimba County by-election has drawn caution from the country’s international partners, urging the National Elections Commission (NEC), the Liberia National Police (LNP), and all relevant institutions to uphold strict impartiality. Their calls come just a day before the by-election amid mounting allegations of state resource misuse, partisan interference, and escalating political tensions that threaten the credibility of the electoral process. The Recent joint statement from the United Nations, ECOWAS, European Union, Irish Aid, and Sweden shows the centrality of free, fair, and transparent elections to Liberia’s democratic progress.

These partners have reminded all actors, especially the NEC and security services, of their obligation to act without bias and resist any attempts at political manipulation or intimidation. The Farmington River Declaration, reaffirmed by all candidates, was emphasized as a binding commitment to peaceful and credible elections6 8.

Allegations of senior government officials misusing nearly $393,000 from Nimba’s Social Development Fund to sway local leaders in favor of a government-backed candidate have also heightened international concern. Such actions would represent a direct assault on electoral fairness and the intended use of public funds, undermining the very foundation of democratic competition. The partisan involvement of Vice President Jeremiah Koung has been another issue of concern. His campaign activities and ethnocentric rhetoric have been widely criticized for inflaming ethnic tensions and undermining the impartiality expected from the executive branch2 3.

These actions, coupled with the government’s recent suspension and controversial reinstatement of NEC Chairperson Davidetta Browne-Lansanah, have raised fears of executive interference and eroded public confidence in the NEC’s independence.

International partners have responded by emphasizing the need for all institutions to resist political pressure, maintain professionalism, and ensure that the by-election is conducted by the rule of law and democratic values. They have also called on candidates and their supporters to avoid inflammatory rhetoric, respect the rights of all voters, and resolve disputes through established legal channels8.

Civil society groups and local observers have echoed these concerns, warning that the misuse of development funds, divisive political rhetoric, and executive overreach threaten to destabilize the region and erode trust in the country's democracy. The pressure on local leaders—who have described “appreciation” payments as political coercion—illustrates the risks of normalizing vote-buying and patronage in Liberia’s electoral culture17.

The Nimba by-election is more than a contest for a Senate seat; it is a referendum on the government’s willingness to uphold democratic standards, respect institutional boundaries, and prioritize national unity over partisan expediency. Unless the administration takes decisive steps to ensure transparency, curb the misuse of state resources, and unequivocally support the independence of the NEC, Liberia risks sliding backward into the politics of division and distrust that once tore the nation apart.

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