By By: Alphanso G. Kalama;
Nimba County, Liberia – What was expected to be a routine by-election observer process has turned into a whirlwind of controversy, as aggrieved participants of the National Elections Commission (NEC)’s 3-day observer training workshop allege a secretive and politically motivated replacement of their names — an act they describe as happening “Nicodemusly” under the cover of night.
According to multiple participants, their names were included on the final list of trained election observers, but just days before deployment, they were quietly replaced by individuals allegedly flown in from Monrovia, widely believed to be loyalists of the ruling Unity Party.
“We were told our names were on the final list. It was painted and posted publicly. But now, insiders within the NEC magistrate offices in Nimba are telling us we’ve been swapped out with names written in pen — people we never saw during the training,” one visibly frustrated trainee explained.
He continued, “We spent our own money, paid transport, and survived on poor food just to contribute to a free and fair process. Now we’re kicked out without even sitting fees? This is not only injustice; it’s a planned betrayal!”
The term “Nicodemusly” — a biblical reference to secretive nighttime dealings — is now buzzing across Nimba, as many accuse the NEC of lacking transparency and bending to the will of political masters.
Observers and locals alike are now questioning the credibility of the upcoming election. “If observers are being replaced last minute by politically affiliated individuals, how can we trust the integrity of the vote?” asked a concerned civil society member.
Reports indicate similar incidents are surfacing in other districts of Nimba County, threatening to ignite unrest and further erode public trust in the electoral process.
As tension simmers, calls for an independent investigation grow louder. Protest looms, and the NEC’s silence only deepens suspicion.
Will NEC come clean? Or will this latest scandal mark another dark cloud over Liberia’s fragile democracy?
