IPNEWS: True to yesterday’s report by the authoritative Independent Probe Newspaper, the National Election Commission (NEC) today, Friday, June 30, released the preliminary results in the Lofa County by-election putting CDC endorsed candidate. Cllr. Joseph Jallah in the lead.

Cllr. Devadatta Brown-Lassanah, Chairperson of NEC, reported that of the 83.92% of votes counted, independent candidate Joseph Jallah received 20,482; constituting 40.61%, while his closest rival Galakpai Kortimai, candidate of the Unity Party (UP) received a total vote of 16,666, representing 33.04% of the provisional votes counted.

Cllr. Brown-Lassanah also stated that the pairs were followed in third place by Mariama Fofana with 5,456, representing 10.82%, while National Security Expert Momo Cyrus obtained a total of 4,753, representing 9.42%.

Other following are former Lofa County Senator Sumo Kupee with 1,908, representing 3.78%, and independent candidate George Samai with 1,176, accounting for 2.3%.

Cllr. Devadatta Brown-Lassanah, Chairperson of NEC, stated that the provisional results account for 381 of the 454 polling centers, constituting 83.92% of the total anticipated ballots for the bi-elections.

Ahead of today’s NEC Provisional announcement, the Unity Party called for Clam from its Partisans amidst conflicting reports.

The Unity Party release extended thanks and appreciation to the people of Lofa for the kind and peaceful manner in which they conducted themselves in the just-ended senatorial bi-election,

“The road has been challenging, but as a people, you stood up for democracy and your rights to vote and decide your representation; the Unity Party is grateful to have been part of that process.”

“The UP calls on all its partisans, supporters, and well-wishers to remain calm and peaceful as we await the National Elections Commissions to announce the results. The Unity Party will accept the results once found credible; we urge all others to follow suit.

Our profound appreciation goes out to the partisans and technical teams who are still working to ensure that the elections were free and fair and that the enfranchisement of the people of Lofa County was protected.” UP press statement mentioned.

Earlier Thursday evening the authoritative Independent Probe Newspaper reported that CDC endorsed candidate was posed to becoming Lofa County’s next Senator.

According to independent sources monitoring the counting of the polls, revealed that Cllr. Joseph Jallah was nowin comfortable lead with an additional 600 votes over his contested rival Galakpai Kortimai, of the Unity Party within the Foya district making it unprecidented.

The sources hinted that in an unprecedented role, CDC endorsed candidate Cllr. Joseph Jallah, overturned Galakpai Kortimai vote of 5,527, into a massive comeback of 5,118 in the Foya alone.

According to the information, this is the first time in an election that a Gbandi contestant has gotten such huge votes within the Kissi region.

Earlier today, IPNEWS reported that the Unity Party candidate Galakpai Kortimai was in the lead with unofficial votes of 17019 votes, while his closest rival Cllr. Joseph Jallah, an endorsed candidate of the Coalition for Democratic Change (CDC) trans with 10432 votes.

The classified leak also stated that Mariamu Fofana, an independent candidate with 3620, while national security expert Momo Cyrus with 3305. Others coming close to the pairs are independent George Samah, and former Senator Sumo Kupee.

Meanwhile, the latest report from Lofa County says one of the six contestants in the Lofa by-election Madam Mariama Fofana has conceded defeat and described independent Candidate Joseph Jallah as a presumptive winner.

The report says Madam Fofana said she’s awaiting official results from the NEC to officially congratulate Cllr. Jallah for his victory.

At the same time, independent candidate Tarnuekollie Momo Cyrus said though the numbers did not favor him in the just-ended by-election he will continue to actively participate in Lofa politics.

The latest information coming in states that Unity Party Secretary-General Mo Ali, has termed the pronouncement by the camp of Cllr. Joseph Jallah of winning yesterday’s bi-election is laughable, as the UP is in a comfortable lead.

Ali insists that the Unity Party has won Foya district contrary to claims of a Jallah’s victory but declined to mention the figures in their war-room.