Thousands of students of the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology(KNUST), will tomorrow Thursday, January 28, 2021 go to the polls to elect a new executive body for its Students Representative Council.
The Dean of Students has directed Interim EC to allow all students partake in the exercise.
Earlier, the Interim EC excluded first years in the upcoming election on the basis that they weren’t part of the process last year.
The exclusion of first year students didn’t sit down well with some students which led to legal battle between the Interim EC, Interim Legal affairs and a petitioner, Clinton Debrah.
However, the Court ruled out first year students in the upcoming elections.
Finally, the Dean of Students in a statement has directed the Interim EC to allow all students(first year to final year) who have paid their academic user fees and completed their biometric registration to partake in the exercise.
According to the Dean of students, Students who have paid their academic user fees and have completed their biometric registration are considered students of the University and therefore should be allowed to vote in the upcoming election.
Background
As a result of the covid-19 pandemic, the election which was originally scheduled to come off last year was postponed until further notice.
Executives of the KNUST SRC then signed an act which made provision for the institution of an Interim Students’ Representative Council (ISRC) until proper electioneering process took place to elect substantial leaders for the Council.
This became necessary after the SRC candidates snubbed any form of elections, whether online or delegate.
The instrument gave power to the Interim SRC to organize ‘SRC and NUGS elections within the first fourteen days upon the commencement of the new academic year for continuing students’.
Following the directive of President Akufo-Addo for the reopening of schools after almost 11 months of closure, continuing students reported to campus on 16 January 2021.
The Interim SRC upon various consultations with stakeholders slated January 28 for the SRC election.
The election, which seeks to elect a successor for the Adu Baah Charles-led administration, will have 12 persons, excluding running mates, contest for the available portfolios.
Samuel Sesah, Bright Ampofo Emmanuel, and Appiah Selassie Kwame are the three persons vying for the Presidential seat following Rexford Bonney Joseph’s disqualification.
For the office of the General Secretary, Stephanie Ofori Prempeh and Matilda Kodua are the only contestants.
Jean Otoo Jnr, Jackson Amoah, Osei Ofosu Solomon, and Agbewu Bright Akwasi are the candidates for the Financial Secretary portfolio.
Delali Setugah Forgive, Rosetta Darkwah Opoku, and Rabiatu Siaka are candidates for the Women’s commissioner office.
Over 4,000 persons are expected to cast their ballot in tomorrow’s elections.
Electoral Offenses released by the Interim Electoral Commission ahead of the election
