Children’s Forum Network Election Faces Legal Challenge Over Candidate’s Disqualification
Kanja Sesay The 2026 National Children’s President Election of the Children’s Forum Network (CFN) has come under legal scrutiny following a challenge to the disqualification of aspiring candidate Mary Julius.
Julius’ lawyers, Brewah & Co Barristers and Solicitors, have written to the Ministry of Gender and Children’s Affairs requesting that her disqualification be reconsidered and the election postponed until her petition is addressed.
The request was contained in a letter dated October 2, 2026, addressed to the Acting Director of the Ministry of Gender and Children’s Affairs.
According to the legal representatives, Julius was initially cleared to participate in the electoral process, subsequently interviewed and permitted to campaign before being informed two days before the election that she had exceeded the prescribed age limit.
The lawyers contend that Julius met the applicable eligibility requirement when she entered the electoral process and should not have been disqualified at a later stage.
They further stated that their client had been encouraged to raise funds for the programme and had campaigned across the country before the decision was communicated to her.
Julius had earlier petitioned the Ministry on September 30, 2026, asking officials to reconsider the decision. Her lawyers are now requesting that the election be put on hold pending consideration of the petition.
Copies of the legal letter and petition were reportedly submitted to the Minister and Deputy Minister of Gender and Children’s Affairs, as well as the Commissioner of the National Commission for Children.
The dispute has also attracted concerns from some members of the Children’s Forum Network, who have questioned the basis for Julius’ disqualification, arguing that she remains below the age of 18.
Supporters have referenced Article 1 of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC), which generally defines a child as a person below 18 years, as well as Article 3, which establishes the best interests of the child as a primary consideration in matters concerning children.
However, the general definition of a child under the UNCRC does not, by itself, determine the specific eligibility requirements for the CFN presidential election. The central issue remains the applicable election rules, the relevant age cut-off and the point at which the age requirement must be satisfied.
Some CFN members have also alleged that delays in conducting the election caused certain prospective candidates to become ineligible because of their age. Those claims have not been independently established, while the Ministry has not publicly issued a detailed response to the allegations.
The Ministry reportedly acknowledged receiving a request for comment and indicated that it would respond officially if necessary.
Julius’ legal challenge has therefore placed the eligibility requirements and timing of the 2026 National Children’s President Election under scrutiny, with her lawyers seeking a postponement while the petition is considered.