Bong County, Liberia – Aggrieved citizens of Upper Bong Electoral District, including traditional leaders, elders, youth groups, women organizations, and temporary National Elections Commission (NEC) staffers, have issued a one-week ultimatum demanding the recall of Alfred W. Tokpa as Senior Elections Magistrate of Upper Bong.
The ultimatum was contained in a formal petition presented on Wednesday to Bong County Superintendent Loleyah Hawa Norris, calling on the NEC to immediately reverse Tokpa’s appointment and replace him with what they described as a “qualified and experienced son or daughter of the county.”
The position became vacant following the death of Daniel G. Newland on August 3, 2024. The lettioners said the vacancy remained unfilled for over a year, raising concerns about electoral administration in a politically sensitive county.
The citizens allege that although the NEC internally advertised the position between August 7 and August 15, 2025, the process lacked transparency and fairness. They claim the vacancy was posted only on a bulletin board at NEC headquarters rather than the commission’s official website, allegedly limiting access for qualified applicants from Bong County.
The petitioners further contend that several experienced electoral workers from Upper Bong—some with more than 14 years of service across all electoral districts—applied for the position but were not shortlisted for interviews. They argue the process was deliberately structured to exclude local candidates.
Tokpa was appointed in September 2025 by NEC Chairperson Davidetta Browne Lansanah, with the backing of senior NEC officials. However, the citizens described the appointment as “controversial,” alleging it was neither participatory nor transparent.
They also raised allegations regarding Tokpa’s past conduct, claiming he faced resistance in previous assignments in Grand Gedeh and Nimba counties over alleged unethical behavior. The petition states that such allegations cast serious doubts over his suitability to manage future elections, including the 2029 polls.
Among other concerns, the citizens said Tokpa has no prior work experience in Upper Bong, does not speak the dominant Kpelleh language, and is unfamiliar with the towns, clans, and electoral districts of the area.
“As of today’s date, we give NEC one-week ultimatum to recall Alfred W. Tokpa and consider appointing a qualified son or daughter who applied from the county,” the petition warned.
The group stressed that they would not cooperate with Tokpa’s administration and cautioned that his continued appointment could undermine peace and public confidence in the electoral process.
They concluded by urging the NEC to respect the will of the people, emphasizing that elections must remain “of the people, by the people, and for the people,” while reaffirming their commitment to peace in Bong County.
Receiving the pettition on behave of Suot. Norris, Sedeki Kromah, County Development Officer, assured the aggreived citizens of a postive rrsponse in the coming days, he called on them to remain calm and await an official response from the office of the National Elections Commission.
As of publication time, the National Elections Commission had not publicly responded to the petition or the ultimatum.
