Liberia’s By-Election: Security Measures Implemented to Ensure Peaceful Voting Process

The by-election in Nimba, Liberia, on April 21, 2025, involved significant police presence to ensure security and prevent violence, following past electoral disruptions. Inspector General Gregory Coleman affirmed measures were taken to guarantee a peaceful voting process while addressing concerns over political interference and unarmed security personnel vulnerabilities. The police committed to impartiality and safeguarding democracy during the election.

On April 21, 2025, Liberia conducted a significant by-election for Nimba’s Senatorial seat amid a substantial police presence due to past electoral disruptions. The Liberia National Police, led by Inspector General Gregory Coleman, assured citizens during a press conference that measures had been implemented to ensure a peaceful electoral process, emphasizing the need to avoid past violence, particularly incidents similar to those in Beo Longatuo in 2023.

Inspector General Coleman confirmed that the election monitoring focused on mitigating political interference and ensuring calmness in Nimba. He noted, “Every time the election is held, we look at after action and review what went wrong and what we need to do to make all necessary corrections to avoid these errors.” Coleman also cautioned about the emerging trends of external individuals attempting to instigate conflict in the election process, underscoring the importance of focus on local concerns.

With concerns about political outsiders engaging in campaigns within the county, some residents expressed their unease regarding visits from representatives from other areas. Coleman maintained that the police had a comprehensive strategy to prevent disruptions by deploying personnel across the county, assuring citizens that, “We want to thank the people of Nimba. They have demonstrated remarkable discipline and respect for the rule of law.”

The police’s efforts included an extensive deployment across all 681 polling stations, utilizing data from earlier elections to address identified problem areas. Coleman illustrated the strategic placement of officers, stating, “This is one of the most informed deployments we’ve had. We used data from past elections, identified previous hotspots, and corrected the errors through a comprehensive after-action review process.”

Highlighting the police’s neutral stance, Coleman stated, “We’re not here as warriors but as guardians of democracy.” He assured the public that any officer engaging in political activities would face immediate consequences. Reinforcing a commitment to impartiality, he pointed out that the police’s service hinges upon protecting the democratic process rather than swaying it.

Finally, Coleman assured voters about the secure transportation of ballot boxes and urged citizens to participate without fear, emphasizing, “This election will be peaceful. No one should be afraid. We are here to ensure you go out and vote and return safely.” However, despite these reassurances, there remain concerns about unarmed security personnel being vulnerable to criminal acts, as evidenced in previous elections.

The April 21, 2025, by-election in Liberia’s Nimba region is marked by increased security measures, led by the Liberia National Police to prevent electoral violence and ensure a fair voting process. Inspector General Gregory Coleman emphasized the importance of past lessons learned to maintain order and prevent political interference. While the police have pledged their commitment to safeguarding the electoral process, concerns persist regarding vulnerabilities of unarmed officers in potential violent situations. Enhancing security measures remains crucial to fostering a peaceful electoral environment.

Original Source: allafrica.com