IPNews-Monrovia-Liberia-20 2018: Polling stations in Montserrado county district 13 and Sinoe county are now closed in a highly contested by-election held today.
The day has been declared as a public holiday by President George Weah to allow voters in Montserrado county district 13 and Sinoe county go to the polls into a highly contested by-election.
President George Manneh Weah through a ‘proclamation’ declared today Tuesday, November 20, 2018, as By-Elections Day, and is to be observed as a ‘Public Holiday affecting Sinoe County and Montserrado County District # 13, respectively in the Republic’.
The Proclamation calls on citizens and foreign residents within Sinoe County and Montserrado County District # 13 to respect, specifically, this Holiday.
The Proclamation further directs and orders that all government offices, business houses, school facilities and market places in Sinoe County and District #13, Montserrado County be closed today so as to allow residents exercise their democratic franchise from six O’clock ante meridian to six O’clock Post meridian.
The Proclamation says in order to ensure greater participation of the voters as well as the smooth conduct of the By-Election, affecting Sinoe County and Montserrado County District #13, the National Elections Commission (NEC), has scheduled Tuesday, November 20, 2018 as the By-Election Day.
According to a Foreign Ministry release, the Government of Liberia is desirous of ensuring an unhindered movement of eligible voters, granting unto them the opportunity to exercise their political franchise in Sinoe County and Montserrado County District # 13 respectively during the By-Elections.
The by – elections were created by the appointment of Senator Joseph N. Nagbe of Sinoe County to the Honorable Supreme Court Bench as Associate Justice, and the election of Montserrado County District # 13 Representative, Saah H. Joseph, as Senator of Montserrado County replacing senator George Weah now president of Liberia.
Since the 2017 general and presidential elections, this is the second by- election under the CDC led administration. The first was in Bong and Montsorrado counties for the replacement of senator Jewel Howard Taylor of Bong and senator George Weah of Montsorrado now president and vice president of Liberia
