Africa-Press – Liberia. Elections conducted by the Federation of Liberian Youth (FLY) across three southeastern counties—Maryland, River Gee, and Grand Gedeh—are facing intense criticism amid widespread reports of irregularities, premature announcements of results, and outright procedural violations.
Maryland County: Early Results Spark Outrage
In Maryland County, tensions flared after FLY officials announced election results hours before the scheduled vote. According to participants, a debate was scheduled for 10:00 a.m., followed by voting at 12:00 p.m. on election day. However, results were allegedly released around 9:00 a.m., even before proceedings officially began.
Victor Williams, a student leader and former president of the William V.S. Tubman University Student Government Association, was declared the winner with 9 votes, followed by Anthony Harris with 1 vote and Francis Hoto Wesseh with none. The announcement ignited outrage among candidates and youth representatives, many of whom claimed they had not yet arrived or participated in the voting process.
Further fueling the controversy, Williams posted the results on his Facebook page with the caption:
“We have never been to any political process as a Joker.”
River Gee County: No Election Held, Yet Winner Declared
In River Gee County, concerns deepened as reports emerged that no election was held on June 24, yet a winner was still announced. According to sources, a group of delegates from the capital bypassed the local electoral process entirely, raising serious questions about the transparency and legitimacy of the results.
Grand Gedeh County: Elections Officially Rejected
In Grand Gedeh County, the FLY County Secretariat issued a formal rejection of the ongoing electoral process, citing multiple violations of the FLY Constitution. A letter dated June 25, 2025, and signed by Tweh Joshua Pyne and Cynthia M. Bailey Gbarduo, stated that no National General Assembly—a constitutional prerequisite—had been convened to authorize the county-level elections.
The letter emphasized:
“Elections are constitutionally required to take place three months after a General Assembly. No such assembly has been held. County leadership was not officially informed in accordance with the rules.”
The Secretariat called on the Electoral Committee to halt all ongoing or planned elections, convene the required General Assembly, and issue formal notifications in line with the organization’s constitution.
“These oversights not only breach the FLY Constitution but also undermine the legitimacy, transparency, and credibility of the electoral process,” the statement added.
Nationwide Concern and Calls for Accountability
The irregularities reported in all three counties have cast a shadow over the broader FLY electoral process. Youth leaders, civil society organizations, and election observers are demanding accountability, constitutional compliance, and increased transparency from the FLY National Secretariat.
As the Federation of Liberian Youth faces mounting scrutiny, the integrity of its elections—seen as a vital platform for young leadership development—is now under question across the region and beyond.
For More News And Analysis About Liberia Follow Africa-Press
