Ganta, Nimba County – Five of the seven senatorial candidates contesting the upcoming Nimba County by-election have signed the Farmington River Declaration, pledging their commitment to a peaceful, free, and fair election process.
By Franklin Doloquee, [email protected]
The signing ceremony took place at the Jackie Guest House in Ganta, where candidates vowed to discourage violence, intimidation, and harassment throughout the electoral period. They also called on their supporters to join them in upholding these values.
According to the declaration, political parties and independent candidates agreed to respect the rights of all individuals to participate freely in the elections.
The agreement also emphasized post-election reconciliation, with candidates committing to accept the results as declared by the National Elections Commission (NEC).
Among those who signed the declaration were Independent Candidate Edith Gongloe-Weh, the only female in the race; Independent Candidate Torbor Tee Wonokay Farnga; Citizens Movement for Change (CMC) candidate B. Mack Gbliwon; Representative Samuel Gongben Kogar of the Movement for Democracy and Reconstruction (MDR); and Former District Number 9 Representative Richard Matenokay Tingban of the Vision for Liberia Transformation (VOLT).
The NEC was present at the event, along with participants from Nimba’s nine electoral districts. The signing concluded a two-day workshop focused on promoting peaceful elections.
During the forum, candidates were given the opportunity to address participants. Madam Edith Gongloe-Weh expressed frustration over the treatment she received during the workshop and cited a recent incident in Gborplay Town, where she claimed she was prevented from campaigning. She said she filed a complaint with the NEC but has received no response or update on any investigation.
Her claims were echoed by candidate Tee Wonokay Farnga, who accused Vice President Jeremiah Koung of using state resources to campaign on behalf of Representative Samuel Kogar. Farnga alleged that Koung’s presence in Saclepea intimidated his supporters and forced them to leave the area.
Wilfred Nehwon Bangoura, an executive of the Citizens Movement for Change (CMC), also accused the Vice President and the Unity Party-led government of violating campaign laws by using government vehicles and funding to support an individual candidate.
Speaking at the same event, Representative Samuel Kogar, now a senatorial candidate, called on his fellow contenders to avoid all forms of violence during the election. He also condemned any attack against Madam Edith Gongloe-Weh, urging the people of Nimba to remain peaceful and unified.