The President Pro-Tempore of the Liberian Senate, Gbehzohngar Findley, has notified the National Elections Commission (NEC) of the existence of a vacancy in the House of Senate.

In a letter addressed to the Acting Chairman of the NEC, Cllr. Elizabeth Nelson, President Pro-Tempore Findley said the vacancy is a result of the death of Senator John Francis Whitfield of Grand Bassa County.

Senator Whitfield died on January 17, 2013.

The Notification was contained in a letter written through the directive of the President Pro-Tempore by the Secretary of the Liberian Senate, NanborlorSingbeh.

The Letter constitutes the legal authority of the National Elections Commission to conduct a Senatorial By-Election in Grand Bassa County.

The Letter of Notification is a requirement of Article 37 of the Liberian constitution which states that "In the event of a vacancy in the Legislature created by death, resignation, expulsion or otherwise, the Presiding Officer shall within 30 days notify the elections Commission thereof. The Elections Commission shall not later than 90 days thereafter cause a By-election to be held....."

Meanwhile, the National Elections Commission says it has with immediate effect begun preparatory activities that would lead to the conduct of a Senatorial By-Election in Grand Bassa County within 90 days.