As the people of Nimba County prepare for senatorial by-election on April 22, 2025, the collaborating party, Movement for Democracy and Reconstruction (MDR) withdraws a petition before the National Elections Commission with reservation.
By Lincoln G. Peters
Monrovia, Liberia, April 4, 2025 – The Movement for Democracy and Reconstruction (MDR) has with reservation, withdrawn its complaint or petition against two independent candidates in the Nimba County senatorial by-election. The candidates are Tee Wonokay-Farngalo and Edith L. Gongloe-Weh.
The MDR is the party of late Senator Prince Yormie Johnson. The party’s cadidates in the senatorial race is incumbent Nimba County Representative Samuel Kogar.
The complaint, which alleges electoral violations, was set for a hearing before the National Elections Commission (NEC) on April 3, 2025. However, minutes before the hearing, the MDR wrote the NEC, withdrawing its grievance against the candidates.
The letter, signed by MDR’s National Vice Chair for NEC/Electoral Affairs Michael T.V. Deddeh, indicates that the withdrawal was “with reservation.” Reasons behind the decision were not disclosed, but the wording suggests that MDR may revisit the issue later.
“Please spread on the records of the above-entitled cause of action that the Plaintiff, Movement for Democracy and Reconstruction (MDR), in these proceedings, hereby withdraws its complaint with reservation.
“FOR SO DOING, THIS SHALL CONSTITUTE YOUR LEGAL AND SUFFICIENT AUTHORITY”, Vice Chair Deddeh, writes the NEC.
However, the Elecetions Commission is expected to formally document the withdrawal. The case is now removed from the NEC’s docket unless MDR takes further action.
The MDR initially challenged Wonokay-Farngalo’s eligibility due to a prior candidacy in Montserrado County and accused Madam Gongloe-Weh of voter registration irregularities. Editing by Jonathan Browne
An allegation of fraud or deception committed in the elections process in Liberia constitutes a crime and is punishable by imprisonment under Liberia’s Election Laws. So whether the Elders of Nimba County came together and in the name of peace, security, and stability pleaded with MDR and its officials to withdraw its complaint of FRAUD allegedly committed by Mrs. Edith Gongole-Weh by reportedly instructing her junior Sister, Ms. Mercy Gongole to register herself as Mrs. Edith Gongole-Weh, when the Voter ID published and exhibited by Mrs. Edith Gongole-Weh is the ID of Ms. Mercy Gongole, the National Elections Commission and its authority, MUST and need to reject the NOTICE OF WITHDRAWAL filed with reservation by the Chairman of MDR, and swiftly investigate if Mrs. Edith Gongole-Weh and Ms. Mercy Gongole, knowingly, intentionally and purposefully committed the Crime of Elections FRAUD or not. Moreover, the Ministry of Justice and Liberia’s Attorney General need to swiftly assume control and jurisdiction of the allegation of FRAUD allegedly committed by Mrs. Edith Gongole-Weh and Ms. Mercy Gongole and swiftly investigate if Mrs. Edith Gongole-Weh and Mercy Gongole committed a crime in Liberia or not.
Due to the gravity of the Election FRAUD alleged by MDR, the National Elections Commission of Liberia (NEC), must and should refuse the Motion to Withdraw filed by the MDR and swiftly investigate and determine if Mrs. Edith Gongole-Weh and Ms. Mercy Gongole, knowingly and purposefully committed a CRIME or not and as alleged by the MDR. Liberia’s want-to-be and sitting would-be leaders are noted and credited with knowingly, intentionally and purposely offending the laws of Liberia with impunity.
Liberians NEED TO respect and appreciate their elders, but those elders are not the LAWS OF LIBERIA.
However, it is to the advantage of Mrs. Edith Gongole-Weh, and Mercy Gongole to clear their names!
If the other candidate contested the election in Montserrado County and is not registered to vote in Nimba County, he must be rejected forthwith. Liberians must learn to respect and uphold their laws.
Frederick A.B. Jayweh
Counsellor-At-Law & International Affairs Director
Center for Law & Human Rights, Inc.
2055 S Oneida St, Suite 364
Denver, CO 80224
cllr.jayweh@center4law.org
Mobile: 720-731-7994