University of Abuja Chapter.
DAVID AMANDA SAMSON, ELECTION REPORT 2019/2020
The long awaited election took place on the 6th November, 2019. Venue; Hall 2, Mini Campus. The readiness of students of the department to partake in the exercise can be seen from the previous day's of campaign. That is, before the set election day. The social media handle of students of NSASA went agog in a bid to promote exh person's drsitef candidate. Albeit, the campaign was in a drone way. Not until the campaign flag was officially raised. At that moment, even the deaf could hear the tumultuous shouts of campaign.
Hostels, Blocks, Halls and the school large was aware of the contest that was about to take place. Posters, banners and fliers spoke louder than all. Beholding the faces of various contestants in the department. The slated day for the election came and according to the constitution all form of campaign was brought to an end.
At the dawn of the election day. All way of NSASAITES led to Hall 2. The ACW-UA Press Correspondents were readily on ground to cover the happenings that would be published for the other world to see, comment on, share their own view among others.
As early as 8:04am, ACW-UA press were set. Because from our sources, the time that was set for the commencement of the election was 9:00am. Unfortunately, by that time the environment was scanty with no sign of election to begin. Only a pocketful amount of were present at that time. The Electoral Committee and most of the members were absent.
According to report, it was said that the Electoral Committee were running around to get set for the electioneering process. One may wonder why it all had to be on the day of the election. The responses, therefore, centred on the fact that the sitting president did not respond quickly to them in terms of fund. With which they would use to run the affairs for that day. Some few individuals felt the Electoral Committee were up to something. Laying claim that it was a delibrate act so as to distort the whole process after all. To some other person's, they believe strongly that there was lack of cohesion between the Electoral Committee and the Department's Executive to make it a success. That is, there were lots and lots of lapses that the Electoral Committee needed to cover up before the commencement of the election.
After some time, students began to troop in to the venue. After brief interactions with the students upon their arrival. It was shocking to hear that almost every student who came there after came because a Test was fixed by that time. Thus, their coming was basically for the Test and little interest was laid for the election. Infact, some were apartheid of voting. But it was revealed to us that the Test was set as a bait to fetch the students out of their abodr. Which they succeeded in doing. The venue was filled with a good number of ready voters. Various contestants went about canvasing and preaching themselves to the voters. Convincing the mamoth voters to elect them into their various aspirations.
At 11:49am, the hour came. Everything was in place. The Electoral Committee were all ready. The contestant's agent were all set to begin. And it started with total calmness and peace. Those who were unwilling to vote got captured and became interested.
In a brief interview with one of the standing voters who pleaded anonimity, she said with joy and gladness that " I had to transport myself, all the way from town to witness this day. Not just that but to partake and vote my desired candidate" she ended. Funny enough, it was just one candidate.
Another student who also pleaded anonimity said bluntly " I did not come here to vote anybody oh. What will they give me if I vote for them?. People that will pretend as if they don't know me after the election. What brought me here is this test. Now that it has been cancelled, I will peacefully take my live and go and and rest in my house".
One of the contestants, by name Mona George, 200 level, aspiring for the office of the Assistant Secretary General. " From what I have seen so far, the process is going on smoothly and fine. The only problem I have is the slowness in the voting process. I don't understand how the Electoral Committee will begin to sign and stamp the ballot paper by this time in the hall while the election have commenced. Whereas, there are so many persons out there who are yet to vote. This thing can delay the process and not every student will be patient enough to wait under this scorching sum." He lamented.
An Observer of the Election gave us some reasons why the process was like that. "You see, while this election was about to start, the confidential ballot papers which were meant to be revealed in the hall to only those who were ready to vote, I tell you that some individuals already have the ballot paper. Who gave them? Only the Electoral Committee can answer that.
But the fact still remains that, some ballot papers are in the custody of some students outside. With the intention to duplicate it and give to those who are yet to vote. So that they can double-vote." He said. "In order to curb this infiltration, The Electoral Committee devised the means of signing and stamping on every ballot paper. Any other one will be rendered Void and invalid.
At the heat of the election, a little misunderstanding ensued between some group of students and a fight struck out. But thank God it was settled amicably. Not long after that, the voters who were left under the sun began to pour out their disgust on the slowness. Their impatience began to spring up.
So many issues arose on that.
The likes of Prince Ezekiel Augustine who was attacked by some unknown assailants and was robbed of all his money. Rendering him empty to run his campaign smoothly. That was before the day of election. And so many others.
The Election, was done and dusted with every student who was present. The hour came for the counting of the votes. This was done in Scieny block A, room 7. At last, the winners were announced. The atmosphere was filled with mixed emotions as the winners jubilated in shouts and dances. While those who couldn't make it had to bear it as their fate. The losers were sad. Absolutely.
Edited by ACW-UA BOSS
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