Abdulkadir Sofiullahi reports
The Students’ Union Electoral Committee(Elcom) of Usmanu Danfodiyo University, Sokoto has Tuesday, 30th May released the eligibility criteria for the 2022/2023 academic session Students’ Union
elections.
This was contained in a circular signed by the Chairman of the Elcom, Bashir Muhammad Achida.
According to the circular, every member of the union who is willing to contest for any position in both executives and Students Representative Assembly(SRA) must have attained a cumulative grade point average (CGPA) of 3.5 in the last academic session.
“Every member of the Union shall be eligible to contest elections both the Exco and the SRA provided that he/she is a bona fide member of the Union,”the circular reads.
“Attain a minimum CGPA of 3.5 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/ and association.”
“Is not contesting under the banner of a group/society/club and association.”
“In case of a by-election not to be a member of the Exco or SRA.”
“All contestants are subject to security scrutiny and screening.”
Meanwhile, the circular also provided for the
electoral procedure.
“Nominations of candidate(s) shall be made by completing appropriate nomination forms issued by the electoral committee at fees determined by it (Electoral committee) within a specific period.”
“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.”
” The electoral committee shall conduct the screening of the contestants.”
“The list of the eligible contestants shall be published prior to the election in alphabetical order.”
“There shall be a presidential debate or an election rally.”
“The electoral committee shall disqualify any candidate whose supporter does anything inimical to peaceful conduct of the election.”
Also, the circular noted that,” Sequel to the provision 2(i) of the University Student 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.
“Consequently, we will like to use this medium to inform all State, Faculty, Departmental and other associations/Clubs /Societies to comply with the provision above and conduct elections on or before SU Elections,”it added.