MONROVIA, Montserrado – The National Elections Commission has disclosed the arrival of more than 40,000 ballots in the country for the February 28 by-election in Lofa to replace the deceased Rep. Eugene Fallah Kparkar.

Joseph T. Nyensauh, NEC’s director of communication, recently told journalists in Monrovia that the ballots, which came through Roberts International Airport, had been received by officials of the commission.

According to Nyensuah, they are being secured at NEC warehouse under the protection of state security personnel as they await deployment to Lofa.

“Campaign activities and election day awareness are ongoing in the county with the nine qualified representative candidates actively involved in the process,” Nyensuah added.

Those qualified to fill the vacancy left behind by Kpakar are Jeremiah Saah Borlay of the Movement for Democracy and Reconstruction, James T. O. Peter of the Alternative National Congress, William Tamba Kamba of the Movement for Economic Empowerment, William Saah Kettor of the Unity Party, and Joseph Tamba Machulay Sr., of the Liberia Transformation Party.

Others are Francis Sakila Nyumahn Sr. of the Union of Liberia Democrats; William Saa Tamba of the Liberty Party, Tamba Damacious Saysay of the All Liberian Party, and independent candidate Elizabeth Tamba.

Eligible voters Lofa’s first district are expected to cast their vote at the 17 published polling precincts.

More than 219 polling staff are expected to undergo training by the time voting begins.

The campaigning period for the seat, which began on January 23, ends at midnight on February 26.

Kparkar died after three days spent in a coma in India after undergoing medical treatment. He was in his 40s and his death meant that two Lofa lawmakers died in 2016.

Sarh Fofi Bimba also died in September 2016.

Featured photo courtesy of Voter Registration Liberia, Carter Center