Liberia Holds Critical By-Election in Nimba Amid Heightened Security Presence
Liberia held a crucial senatorial by-election in Nimba under heavy security following previous electoral violence. Inspector General Gregory Coleman assured citizens of a peaceful process, emphasizing the impartiality of police efforts. Nonetheless, concerns remain regarding the vulnerability of unarmed security at polling stations.
In Liberia, citizens participated in a significant senatorial by-election in Nimba, marked by a heavy security presence amid fears of potential disruptions. Recent incidents in Beo Longatuo, where youth vandalized polling stations and stole ballot boxes, heightened the need for security measures. The Liberia National Police, led by Inspector General Gregory Coleman, emphasized their commitment to maintaining peace and preventing any forms of political unrest during the election process.
During a morning press conference on April 21, 2025, Inspector General Coleman reassured the public of their focus on ensuring a peaceful electoral experience. “We have noticed some violence in the past election, and we have been working hard to make necessary corrections to avoid these errors,” he stated. He referenced prior challenges, including interference from political actors outside Nimba County that raised concerns among residents.
Despite the influx of outside political figures such as former Representatives Acarous Gray and Melvin Cole, who campaigned for local candidate Edith Gongloe Weh, Coleman maintained that precautionary measures were in place to ensure electoral integrity. The law enforcement agency deployed a substantial number of officers across the county to secure polling places.
Coleman expressed gratitude to the citizens of Nimba, acknowledging their respect for law and order. He remarked, “We want to assure the public that everything has been put in place from a security perspective.” The police, working in conjunction with joint security forces, are prepared to manage all polling activities effectively across the county’s 681 locations.
This deployment was characterized as one of the most organized in the history of Liberia’s elections, utilizing data from previous polling successes and challenges. “Our service is not based on political affiliation. We’re here to protect the democratic space so everyone can express their will freely,” added Coleman, reinforcing the police’s impartiality during the electoral process.
He delivered a stern warning to any individuals intending to cause disruptions, asserting that the police are aware of their plans and will respond robustly. Coleman also promised swift action against any officer engaging in political activities, reinforcing that the police will not tolerate any interference in the electoral process.
Emphasizing a renewed commitment to community service, he remarked, “For too long, ‘serve and protect’ was just a slogan. Now, service has come alive, and that’s what makes it look different.” He assured voters that security would be maintained throughout the voting day and that the transportation of ballot boxes would be managed carefully post-election.
Yet, criticisms remain regarding the police’s deployment strategy, particularly the trend of unarmed security personnel at polling places, which has left them vulnerable to criminal elements. This concern echoes the past events where unarmed officers were unable to protect the ballots from theft, underscoring the need for a robust security approach during elections.
The recent senatorial by-election in Liberia’s Nimba County was characterized by a heightened security presence to deter potential disruptions following prior electoral violence. Inspector General Gregory Coleman highlighted the commitment of the Liberia National Police to ensure a peaceful voting environment, emphasizing their impartiality and readiness to respond to any attempts to undermine the electoral process. Despite the challenges of unarmed security personnel, the police’s proactive measures were hopeful to instill confidence in voters, seeking to assure the community of safe participation in democratic practices.
Original Source: allafrica.com
