Defiant Kouh Rejects LFA Disqualification, Vows Legal Fight to Contest Poll

 FC Fassell President Cassell Anthony Kouh has rejected his disqualification from the Liberia Football Association presidential race and declared he will still contest and win the May 15 election. Addressing journalists at a press conference in Monrovia on Wednesday, Kouh dismissed the Independent Elections Commission’s decision as “fraudulent” and pledged to overturn it. “Cassell Kouh will be on the ballot. Cassell Kouh will contest the election, and Cassell Kouh will win the election. We will challenge fraudulent processes,” he said.

The Commission disqualified Kouh under Articles 45.4 and 58.1 of the LFA Statutes, which bar individuals with criminal convictions from seeking the presidency. Kouh admitted to a prior conviction in the United States during a hearing before the electoral body. His legal team branded the ruling “prejudicial” and “unjust,” promising to exhaust all legal remedies. “We believe the decision of the Election Commission was biased. We will ensure that the decision is corrected,” said one of his lawyers.

The Commission has argued the statutory language is “absolute” and applies regardless of whether a sentence has been served. It said the clause mirrors FIFA and CAF integrity standards and can only be changed by the LFA Congress or overturned by the Supreme Court. Kouh’s defiance comes despite a Civil Law Court ruling on April 9 that he could contest the poll. The Commission said the court did not strike down the statute as unconstitutional, leaving it bound to enforce the provision. With Kouh and fellow aspirant Sekou Keita both disqualified, incumbent Mustapha I. Raji remains the sole cleared candidate.