Following the end of the term of the student union executive at Fourah Bay College (FBC), some students have on Thursday 12th November 2020 called on the college administration to conduct student union elections, but the administration said they are constrained, and could not hold elections during this pandemic. The aforementioned students who called themselves “Concerned Students” noted that the term of office for the current student union executives ended on 31st October 2020, noting that it was time for the administration to conduct another election to seek a fresh mandate from the student body.
Head of Concerned Students, Abdul Karim Sankoh said the current executive, which he alleged was controversially elected and its term expired in October, is grossly inefficient, and does not work in the interest of the general student body. Sankoh recalled that less than 500 students voted in the last student union election in a university hosting thousands of students, adding that that trajectory must change this time around.
He opined that this was the perfect time for the administration to conduct elections, noting that there will not be campaigns because of the coronavirus pandemic which has brought regulations, among them the prohibition of large crowds.
However, Head of Alumni and International Relations, Dr. Hindolo Tonya Musa, had earlier in a radio interview told the general public that the university cannot hold student union elections during this time of the coronavirus pandemic, noting that most elections in the university are marred by student violence.
Student Michael opined that government should place a permanent ban on student union elections, as they are always marred by violence and always end in the destruction of the college.
Student Musa said Concern Students should instead focus on the learning facilities that are lacking in the university, with special respect for their curriculum which will in turn add value to their certificates for them to be relevant in the job market, rather than worrying about elections.
But Sankoh asserted that the call for student union elections is largely acclaimed by majority of the students, and therefore urged university authorities to do the needful and ensure peaceful co-existence among students.
Sankoh added that they do not have any intention to stage a protest nor plan to go on strike, but will continue to engage the administration until elections are held.
According to the University Act, the Student Union President shall assume office at the start of the semester and shall hold office for a period of one year, and that also applies to other executive members, except otherwise by death, resignation or dismissal.
By Sulaiman Karim Sesay