Abdulrasheed Akere
The Electoral Committee, ELCOM of Usmanu Danfodiyo University Sokoto UDUS has unveiled modalities for the forthcoming Students’ Union, or SU election during a meeting held with the campus press at Economics Boardroom on Tuesday, May 30, 2023.
Mallam Muhammad Bashir Achida, the ELCOM chairman, noted that the step was based on agreement with members of the committee.
“Sale of nomination forms to every post and submission of completed forms to the designated point of purchase commences on Tuesday, May 30 and ends on Saturday, June 03, 2023. Screening of contestants will be held at the Department of Economics Board Room on Sunday, June 04, 2023 and the list of eligible contestants will be released on Monday, June 05, 2023,” he stated.
He said that the ban on campaign will be lifted on Monday, June 05, 2023, debate for the presidential candidates will hold at MH2 lecture hall from 8:00 p.m to 10:00 p.m on Tuesday, June 06, 2023 and rally for other posts’ contestants will hold at convocation ground on Wednesday, June 07, 2023 by 4:00 p.m.
“We will make electricity available at the venue, each candidate will be given tickets to bring fifty students likewise pressmen will be given tickets to have access to the venue. This is because we don’t want much crowd but provision will be made online for students to join the programme anywhere they are,” he explained.
The ELCOM chairman emphasized that any presidential candidates who fail to appear for the debate will be disqualified likewise any other posts’ contestants who fail to appear for the election rally will also be disqualified.
“The SU election will be conducted on Thursday, June 08, 2023 starting from 9:00 a.m to 3:00 p.m. Anyone will not be allowed to join the queue immediately after 3:00 p.m but those already on the queue will be allowed to cast their votes. The inauguration will follow on Friday, June 09, 2023 at MH2 lecture hall,” he said.
Who Can Contest?
The ELCOM chairman reads: “Every member of the union shall be eligible to contest elections both the Exco and the SRA provided that he/she is a bonafide member of the union; attains a minimum 3.5 CGPA in the last academic session; has not been proved guilty of any corrupt practices in his/her place of work or previous association(s)/club(s)/societies served; has not been proved guilty of any other scandal that may tarnish the image of the union and the university; is not a member of the Electoral Committee or any unregistered group/society/club/association; and is not contesting under the banner of a group/society/club and association.”
He added that each contestant must purchase and fill a nomination form issued by the electoral committee at the rate of N10,000. It’s confirmed that each nomination form shall bear the name and signature of the proposer, seconder and the nominee whose signature shall signify his/her acceptance of the nomination. No member shall propose or second more than one candidate and passport photograph of the nominee, nominator and the second should be attached to the provided space on the form.
“The electoral committee shall disqualify any candidate whose supporters do anything inimical to peaceful conduct of the election,” he warned.
ELCOM noted that, “Sequel to the provision 2(i) of the university students’ handbook, all final year students are not eligible to contest since the tenure of all elected officers will extend to the 1st Semester of the coming session.”
Where to Purchase The Nomination Forms
The nomination forms are available for purchase from six different members of the ELCOM within the specified time. Below are the names, locations and phone numbers of the six ELCOM form sellers: Anafi Kaosarah (DV hostel, Block P room 15 – 09025272376), Onyilo Micah (Shama hostel – 09074798390), Mercy Kolo (80K hostel in Benji – 08160093573), Mansur Bashir (Bakasi hostel, Block B room 15 – 08137609212), Bashir Rimawa (Jibril Aminu hostel, Block E room 28 – 09037343171), and Dr. Abdullahi Muhammad Ngaski (Department of Pathology, faculty of medical laboratory science – 08036250417).
