MONROVIA, October 20 (LINA) -The National Elections Commission has qualified 139 candidates for the Special Senatorial Elections expected to take place in December this year.

The list shows that there are 20 female and 119 male candidates, with 26 of them running as independent.

According to NEC Chairman Jerome Korkoyah, Maryland, Margibi, Nimba, River Gee, River Cess and Grand Cape Mount have one independent aspirant each, while Grand Gedeh, Grand Bassa, Grand Kru and Bong counties have two independent candidates each.

He said Bomi and Montserrado counties have three and five independent candidates respectively, while Gbarpolu County has no independent candidate.

Making the disclosure at an Electoral Coordination Committee (ECC) meeting held Monday, Korkoyah pointed out that Grand Bassa, Maryland, Sinoe and River Gee counties did not register female candidates.

Bomi, River Cess and Montserrado counties have three female candidates each, while Nimba, Lofa, Grand Gedeh, Grand Kru and Bong Counties, have one female aspirant each, with Grand Cape Mount and Gbarpolu counties having two females each.
Commenting further, Cllr. Korkoyah indicated that of the total number of qualified candidates, 10 are from Bomi County, 13 each from Bong and Margibi counties, with Montserrado, Grand Gedeh and Grand Cape Mount counties putting forth 11 aspirants each.

“Gbarpolu, Sinoe and Grand Kru counties have seven candidates each, Maryland County eight candidates, while Lofa and River Gee have nine candidates each,” the NEC boss disclosed.

Korkoyah also pointed out that Grand Bassa and Nimba counties have five and six candidates respectively, while River Cess County has 12 aspirants contesting the pending senatorial elections.

Meanwhile, Chairman Korkoyah says NEC is considering recommendations from political parties, candidates, youth and students groups, calling for flexibility in the conduct of the elections in the event that there is an upsurge in the Ebola situation.
LINA WTD/PSN/TSS/PTK