Following the constitution of the Electoral Commission by the Great Ife Students' Representative Council on Tuesday, 16th May 2023, the Electoral Commission which consist of 13-men Committee which cut across the 13 faculties of the University to oversee the conduct of the forthcoming, Students' Union Election.
In a Release made available to OAUPeeps News Agency, the Electoral Commission has decided to lift ban on election campaigns.
According to the release, by virtue of the powers conferred on the Electoral Commission as contained in the Great Ife sacrosanct constitution in Article IV, Section 60 (4), “the electoral commission shall organise and effectively supervise all union elections and bye elections with utmost good faith”. After careful consideration and evaluation, it is on this note the electoral commission has decided to lift the election ban, thereby allowing the commencement of campaigns, which shall take place with immediate effect, Thursday, May 18, 2023.
The electoral commission arrived at this decision to commence the election activities due to reasonable circumstances surrounding the electioneering processes. Greatest Ife! Articulate Ife! The university academic calendar stipulates that examinations are to commence 5th of June, 2023 which translates to that the commission only have 2weeks to complete the whole electioneering process.
The commission however plead to the entirety of Great Ife students to join hands with the Electoral Commission in commencing the election, who want the Great Ife students and stakeholders to cooperate with the commission for the essential for the smooth conduct of the elections and the consolidation of our union. In respect to this announcement, the commission urge the entire students to actively participate in the electoral process. To promote participatory democracy and good governance for Great Ife students Union prosperity, the Commission uses the medium to encourage the totality of Great Ife student union members to embark on their ambition to starting of campaigns. While the election process serves as an avenue for healthy competition, would like to emphasize the importance of conducting campaigns in a respectful and peaceful manner.
Consequently, the Commission implore all aspirants (CEC, SRC & HEC) and their supporters to read and get familiar with the campaign guidelines which are clearly stated below:
1. Eligibility Criteria
A. Contestants MUST be registered students of the university for the 2021/2022 academic session.
B. Contestants running for the positions within CEC and SRC must have successfully completed AT LEAST one academic session in the 1 university.
2. Campaign Guidelines
A. All campaign activities should focus on the issues and be centered around the candidate's proposed solutions. A political campaign or slogan shall not be tainted with abusive language directly or indirectly likely to injure physical, psychological, religious, ethnic, or sectional feelings against another candidate will result in automatic disqualification.
B. The use of the halls' public address system for campaign purposes is strictly prohibited. c. Colored posters are not allowed to be used by contestants. d. Contestants are prohibited from writing or posting bills on walls, water tanks, and roads.
3. Conduct and Harassment:
Contestants and their supporters must refrain from any form of harassment during the election process. Harassment includes any actions or behavior intended to intimidate, coerce, or harm others.
4. Disqualification Risk: Any contestant who violates these guidelines stands the risk of being DISQUALIFIED.
5. Incumbent Members' Responsibilities:
Incumbent members of the CEC who are contesting positions within the CEC must hand over all union properties in their possession, including keys to their offices. This measure ensures the protection of sensitive election materials and promotes a level playing field for all contestants.
The electoral commission will closely monitor the campaign activities to ensure compliance with the rules and regulations. We are committed to upholding transparency, fairness, and impartiality throughout the entire electoral process. These guidelines aim to ensure a fair, transparent, and respectful election process, fostering an environment that encourages constructive campaigns and discourages misconduct.
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