Monrovia, Liberia — The Independent Elections Committee of the Liberia Football Association (LFA) has officially published the final list of qualified candidates for the upcoming 2026 Elective Congress, confirming a major development in the race for the presidency.
In a decision that is expected to spark further debate, FC Fassell President Cassell Anthony Kouh has been declared ineligible to contest, leaving incumbent LFA President Mustapha I. Raji as the only candidate in the presidential race.
The announcement, issued by the Committee on April 30, follows a comprehensive vetting process conducted in line with the LFA Statutes (2018, as amended), the Electoral Code, and established election guidelines. Out of 29 aspirants, 27 were cleared to contest various positions within the Association.
According to the Committee, all qualified candidates met the required criteria, including age, nationality, residency, educational background, active involvement in football, and integrity standards—particularly the requirement of having no criminal record. Nomination documents were also verified to have been properly submitted within the stipulated timeline and endorsed by eligible LFA members.
Kouh Disqualified Over Integrity Clause
Central to the Committee’s decision is the enforcement of Articles 45.4 and 58.1 of the LFA Statutes, which categorically bar any individual “found guilty of a criminal offense” from contesting for leadership positions within the Association.
The Committee stated that Kouh’s prior conviction in the United States places him squarely within the category of individuals deemed ineligible under these provisions. It further noted that Kouh himself acknowledged the conviction during a hearing before the Committee.
While acknowledging claims of rehabilitation, the Committee maintained that the statutes are explicit and leave no room for discretion, emphasizing that the integrity clause is absolute and applies regardless of when the conviction occurred or whether the individual has completed their sentence.
“The phrase ‘shall not’ is mandatory and prohibitive,” the Committee noted, adding that it lacks the authority to reinterpret or amend the statute, but is instead bound to apply it as written.
Court Ruling Does Not Override LFA Statutes
The Committee also addressed the recent Civil Law Court ruling, which affirmed Kouh’s right to contest the elections and lifted an earlier injunction that had stalled the electoral process.
However, it clarified that the court did not declare the relevant provisions of the LFA Statutes unconstitutional. As such, the statutes remain valid and enforceable unless and until the Supreme Court of Liberia rules otherwise.
While some stakeholders have argued that the LFA’s integrity clause may conflict with constitutional provisions restoring civil rights after the completion of a sentence, the Committee stressed that such constitutional questions fall exclusively within the jurisdiction of the Supreme Court.
Until a definitive ruling is issued, the Elections Committee says it is legally obligated to uphold the existing statutes.
Raji Runs Unopposed
With Kouh’s disqualification, Mustapha I. Raji now stands as the sole candidate for the presidency heading into the May 2026 Elective Congress.
Meanwhile, several candidates have been cleared to contest other positions, including three contenders for the Women’s Representative seat—Jodie Marian Reid Seton, Rochell G.D. Woodson, and Kaddieyatu Darrah Findley—as well as a broad slate of aspirants vying for Executive Committee positions.
Additional Disqualification
The Committee also disqualified aspirant Sekou V. Keita, citing failure to meet the mandatory nomination requirement under Article 45.3 of the LFA Statutes, which requires candidates to be endorsed by at least one member of the Association.
Governance and Integrity Emphasized
In its statement, the Elections Committee reaffirmed its mandate to ensure transparency, fairness, and adherence to both domestic regulations and international football governance standards, including those of FIFA and CAF.
It emphasized that the integrity provisions are designed to protect the credibility of football administration in Liberia and maintain public confidence in the system.
What Lies Ahead
The latest decision is likely to intensify legal and administrative tensions surrounding the LFA elections, particularly as the constitutional questions regarding eligibility remain unresolved at the Supreme Court level.
For now, however, the electoral process is set to proceed under the current legal framework, with the spotlight firmly on the upcoming Congress and the implications of a presidential race without opposition.
