The highly anticipated elections of the Federation of Liberian Youth (FLY), the nation’s umbrella body for youth and student organizations, have been suspended following a 19-count petition filed in the Civil Law Court at the Temple of Justice. The petition, lodged by United Youth for Development Services along with several provisional presidential candidates, accuses the FLY leadership and its Independent National Elections Committee (INEC) of serious constitutional violations, procedural irregularities, and abuse of process.
The petitioners—Varney C. Hilton, Samuel James Kpartor, and Mandela S. Gbollie—are seeking a Writ of Preliminary Injunction and a Declaratory Judgment against FLY, its INEC, and the Ministry of Youth and Sports (MYS). The case is being presided over by His Honor J. Boima Konto, Resident Circuit Judge of the Sixth Judicial Circuit, Civil Law Court for Montserrado County.
According to the petition, the electoral process has been “marred by grave constitutional breaches, procedural defects, and deliberate manipulation,” rendering the elections unconstitutional.
In their 19-count submission, the petitioners allege that the election committee violated key provisions of the FLY Constitution, particularly Articles 6, 11, and 18. They claim that under Article 6, only verified and active member organizations, admitted at least one year prior to the General Assembly, are eligible to vote. Contrary to this, they allege, unqualified and inactive organizations were allowed to participate, while long-standing legitimate members were excluded without explanation.
The petition also highlights the failure of the election committee to publish an official membership roster as required under Article 18(c), undermining transparency and fair participation.
Additionally, the petition criticizes the compressed election schedule, which was condensed into less than a month, violating constitutional requirements for six months’ notice for election activities. The accelerated timeline, the petitioners argue, effectively disenfranchised eligible member organizations.
The petitioners allege that the Ministry of Youth and Sports, the statutory body responsible for supervising national youth organizations, failed to intervene despite multiple complaints. They note that FLY receives direct government funding, making government oversight critical to ensure transparency and compliance.
The complaint also raises concerns over an alleged unconstitutional “Board of Advisors” influencing the electoral process. According to Article 11(c) of the FLY Constitution, a Board of Advisors must be established and approved by the General Assembly. The petitioners claim that no such legitimate board exists, yet certain individuals have been making unauthorized decisions.
Citing Section 43.2 of the Civil Procedure Law, the petitioners request the court to issue a preliminary injunction preventing FLY, INEC, and MYS from continuing the electoral process until full judicial review. They also seek a Declaratory Judgment to: Declare the ongoing elections unconstitutional and void; Require the establishment of a constitutionally compliant interim leadership under independent oversight; and prohibit any further electoral announcements or activities until all violations are resolved.
The petition was officially filed and endorsed on October 22, 2025, by Clerk of Court Victor G. Gailor.
Following the filing, the Civil Law Court issued a Writ of Preliminary Injunction ordering the respondents to halt all electoral activities and appear in court to file their resistance by November 1, 2025. Failure to comply could lead to a Permanent Injunction.
The suspension of FLY’s elections represents a major disruption for Liberia’s premier youth platform. Observers warn that the legal battle could set a precedent regarding judicial oversight, governance, and constitutional compliance within youth organizations. The elections, originally scheduled for October 24–26, remain suspended, drawing attention from both national and international stakeholders interested in the integrity of Liberia’s youth democratic processes.
