By: Gbayesola Samuel

One of the most anticipated events on the University of Ibadan campus is the electoral season. It is a period when bonafide students of the University exercise their civic rights by voting their representatives across different constituents, including halls of residence, faculties, departments and Students’ Union.

However, this annual and democratic rite is often marred by several recurring concerns, including delay, disenfranchisement, absence of autonomy, and most critically, the breach of constitutions stating when these elections should be conducted in an academic session. This persistent trend has significantly undermined the sanctity of the electoral process in a tertiary institution like ours. Most of these elections are often conducted at later periods in the session when students would have left for holidays, raising concerns about the legitimacy of student leaders elected by the few.

Despite the clear rules in the constitutions of various constituencies at the University, the commencement of many of these elections is often delayed unnecessarily. Some constitutions, like those of certain halls of residence, stipulate that the electoral process should commence 30 days after the resumption of the second semester of every academic session. This timeline is designed to allow ample time for preparation and ensure that the electoral process adheres to due process.

Unfortunately, these electoral rules have been toothless. In some halls, elections are conducted so late that several students would have vacated the hostels for holidays. For instance, in halls like Kenneth Mellanby, Sultan Bello, Nnamdi Azikwe and the Great Independence Halls of Residence, the election of Floor Representatives and members of Executive Councils is often delayed.

It is however worth mentioning  that not all parts of the university experience this delay. Some faculties, such as the Faculty of Technology, conduct their elections as early as the first semester of the academic session. This allows the newly elected leadership enough time for administrative planning and preparation.

Their tradition of conducting elections early is commendable, particularly considering how packed the second semester tends to be. Activities like Students’ Union Week, departmental and faculty dinners, and various other events compete for students’ attention, leading to poor arrangement of the electoral process.

Unlike the hall elections, the University of Ibadan Students’ Union election is conducted virtually. It is overseen by the Deputy Registrar (Students Affairs), who serves as the Chairman of the Electoral Commission. This commission also includes representatives from every faculty and hall of residence.

Article X of the University of Ibadan Students’ Union Constitution states that elections should be conducted no later than 30 days after the commencement of the second semester. Article XI empowers the Students’ Union Electoral Commission (SUEC) to oversee the election, set guidelines, and ensure adherence to the constitution. Article XII specifies that electoral regulations must be made public at least 14 days before election day. The electoral commission, constitutionally recognized as the Students’ Union Electoral Commission, exercises the constitutional mandate of screening aspirants with the authority to either qualify or disqualify them without any external interference. According to the Constitution, there must be an Electoral Petition Tribunal, chaired by the Dean of Students, to handle post-election complaints within the timeframe of 14 days.

Despite these clear rules, the Students’ Union electoral process has also not been immune to delay. In the 2023/2024 academic session, for example, although nominations for the Electoral Commission began on Monday, December 9, 2024, the electoral process was delayed until February 2025. This delay occurred without any official communication. Even the situation still persists as we are in the 6th week of the second semester.

Who Really Pays the Price?

The students ultimately bear the brunt of these systemic failures. When elections are delayed. The electoral process loses credibility. Only the most popular, not necessarily the most qualified candidates climb the ladder to the corridor of power. Consequently, Student interest in leadership and governance fades and a large section of the student population becomes disenfranchised.

The most apparent downside of the electoral process is that it only allows for the accreditation of less than 10,000 students, while the University has a student population of over 33,000. This, of course, is a big concern as it is an aberration of democratic principles. At a university with over 33,000 students, any democratic process should reflect the will of at least two-thirds of the student population, not the dwindling figures we now see.

Another concern which has been a subject of debate among the critical student community is the fact that the Union electoral body lacks autonomy. For those who can bear witness, the electoral results have always been announced by the Deputy Registrar without the electoral body having the autonomy to verify the results This however begs the question. If halls and faculties can conduct their elections without any external interference from management, why can’t our Students’ Union Electoral Commission?

The Bigger Question: What Next?

We return to the crucial question. When will the actionable steps be taken to enforce the 30-day constitutional deadline and restore student trust in the electoral system?

The existing constitutions from the UI’SU to individual halls and faculties are more than just documents. They are blueprints for how leadership should emerge and be held accountable.

As the university perpetually fails to uphold these blueprints, it not only risks poor turnout or delayed election, but the erosion of trust in a system meant to prepare future leaders. The demand for immediate commencement of elections at  both the Students’ Union level and other constituencies is not too much to ask for.

It is time the students shun aparty and demand electoral system that is inclusive and democratic. Until these electoral downsides are addressed with the sense of urgency they deserve, elections in UI will continue to reflect only a fraction of student voices,  and not those of the majority that deserve to be heard.