Unilorin electoral body releases criteria for students’ union election

The Independent Students’ Electoral Commission of the University of Ilorin (UNILORIN ISEC) has begun preparations for the commencement of the 2021/2022 academic session’s Students’ Union electioneering processes.

This was confirmed in a statement released by the students’ electioneering body on Monday.

In the statement sighted by our reporter and titled “Eligibility & Grounds for Disqualification of an Aspirant,” the university’s electoral commission listed the requirements for each of the positions at the Students’ Union level as entailed in sections 23-30 of the Election Act, Constitution of the Students’ Union Laws.

Confirming the development to Tribune Online in an interview, the Public Relation Officer of UNILORIN ISEC, Onabawo Nokeebat said that all hands are on deck to ensure free, fair, and credible elections.

She said, “To ensure a fair and transparent election process, measures like secure login credentials and encryption of data have been implemented. Additionally, regular monitoring and auditing of the online voting system would be conducted to detect and prevent any potential issues or tampering.”

She added that the body is collaborating with the Computer Services & Information Technology (COMSIT) Directorate of the University to ensure that all qualified students have easy access to an effective working system of the school portal, in order to easily cast their votes on election day.

According to the statement, any student who is interested in running for the position of President of the Students’ Union must be a duly matriculated student of the school, have a minimum CGPA of 3.5 or a progressive assessment of 52.5 points, and must have spent at least 2 academic sessions in the institution.

For the position of Vice President (Permanent Site), the student must be a duly matriculated student of the school, have spent at least 2 academic sessions, have a minimum CGPA of 3.0, and be a student of the permanent campus.

While those aiming for the office of Vice President (College of Health Sciences) must have spent at least 2 complete academic sessions, have a minimum academic qualification of 3.0 CGPA or a progressive assessment of 50 points, and be a student at the College of Health Sciences.

According to the statement, interested students for the offices of General Secretary and Financial Secretary must be duly matriculated students of the school, have spent at least three complete academic semesters, and have a minimum CGPA of 3.0 or a progressive assessment of 50 points.

Other offices of the Central Executive Council (CEC) must have spent at least 3 complete academic semesters and have a minimum CGPA of 3.0 or a progressive assessment of 50 points.

To contest to be a member of the Senate Council as a Senator of the Student Union, the student must be a duly matriculated student of the school, have spent at least 3 complete academic semesters, and have a minimum CGPA of 3.0 or a progressive assessment of 50 points.

However, a student will not be eligible to contest any election if they have been found guilty of any act of misconduct by any court of competent jurisdiction within and outside the university, found guilty of any act of misconduct by the school authority.

Also, any student who has been a member of the Independent Electoral Commission or Independent Corrupt Practices Commission at any point in time, not passed the security screening as determined by the necessary agencies, or been a member of the Judicial Council. Candidates disqualified on these provisions cannot contest their disqualification.