ABSU students’ union conducts free, fair election

After several months delay in the election of Student’s Union of the Abia State University (ABSU), Uturu, the students finally elected their leaders, who will pilot the affairs of the union for the 2014/2015 academic session last week. Already, the delay in the election had continued to raise dust on campus, as students accused the outgoing President of the union of deliberate action to delay the election. As part of the electioneering activities, there was manifesto night organized for the entire contestant a day before the election, where they reeled out their programmes to the students. The manifesto night, which was held at the university main auditorium, turned to a rally, as supporters of the various candidates were given the opportunity one after the other to campaign for their candidates. During the exercise, those contestants who were eloquent in their speech were cheered, while those who gabbled were booed, especially by supporters of other candidates. On the day of the election, the contestants were engrossed in a last minute campaign, while security within and outside the campus was air-tight. The security men at the university gate screened and searched everyone entering and coming out of the campus.

The election earlier scheduled to take place at the New Examination Hall, had to be changed to the university pavilion by the electoral team, led by the Student Affairs’ Officer, Elder Emma Nwoke because of the large turnout of the students. As early as 10am, the accreditation of students voters had begun, while the prerequisite and requirements for the voting exercise, which include the payment of the 2013/2014 or 2014/2015 academic session fees were reeled out to the contestants. However, voting started by 12pm and ended by 3pm, while counting of votes followed immediately. While counting of votes was going on, some of the supporters, who were ordered to stay few meters away from the pavilion, were jubilating that their candidates were leading. During the counting, about 40 ballot papers with the name of Oluchi Ujoh, the candidate for the position of the Assistant Secretary General had already been neatly ticked and stuffed in the ballot box.