By Bockarie Musa
Reports from Liberia’s southeastern Sinoe County say at least one person has been killed and several others wounded in a violence that followed the legislative elections in District number 3.
The area is 357km from the capital, Monrovia.
The Liberia national police has confirmed the arrest of several individuals in connection with the incident in Sinoe County.
The incident occurred shortly after election results were announced at the local Magistrate tally center, declaring the incumbent Rep Mathew Zarzar of the ruling Unity Party as the winner.
Tensions had been building up in that area ahead of the October 10 polls, with heated verbal exchanges between Zarzar and a Sinoe County Senator who had vowed to vigorously campaign against him to ensure that he’s not reelected.
Upon learning about the victory, reports say jubilant supporters of Candidate Zarzar stormed the campaign headquarters of the opposition candidate Shadrach Kolo Saywon in Kamo town to celebrate their victory.
The group said to be led by their campaign manager Melvin Noah allegedly attacked residents with stones, broken bottles and sticks on grounds that they did not support their candidate in the process.
In an attempt to escape the fight, a motorbike rider named still not known got seriously wounded and later died in hospital. Another person was reportedly struck in the eye with sling shot, what is locally called “rubber gun.”
The man is said to have lost his eye as he tried to disarm one of Rep Mathew Zarzar’s supporters who was allegedly carrying a knife with him.
Several people were also wounded and houses were reportedly damaged in the fight which lasted for several hours.