Concerned Njala University Students Raises Concerns Over Students’ Union Election Process

Concerned students of Njala University, Njala Campus, have expressed dissatisfaction with the ongoing electioneering process in a letter addressed to Prof. Bashiru Koroma, Vice Chancellor of Njala University. The students allege that the integrity and fairness of the elections have been severely compromised due to several alarming issues.

One of the issues raised is favouritism towards certain candidates. The students claim that the election management committee is unduly favouring specific candidates, undermining the principles of fairness and equal opportunity that are fundamental to any democratic process.

Another concern is the deliberate removal of registered and paid-up students from the voters list. The students allege that names of students, particularly those known to support a specific candidate, have been deliberately excluded from the list despite meeting all registration and fee payment requirements. They argue that such an act is not only unfair but also disenfranchises a significant portion of the student body, effectively silencing their voices.

The letter further alleges the involvement of administrators in the election process. The students specifically mention Dr. Kabba, Election Management Committee Chairman; Dr. Paul Kaisam, Member of the Committee; Prof. Allieu Bah, Deputy Vice Chancellor, Njala Campus; the Matron of Njala Campus; and Prof. Olapade, former Dean, School of Natural Resources Management. Their presence raises concerns about the impartiality of the election committee.

In response to these concerns, the students have requested the following actions:

Ensure Equal Treatment of All Candidates: Implement measures to guarantee that all candidates are treated fairly and equally throughout the election process.

Review and Update the Voters List: Conduct a thorough review and update of the voters list to include all eligible students, ensuring that no one is unjustly excluded.

Limit Administrative Involvement: Ensure that university administrators do not interfere in the election process, maintaining the impartiality and independence of the election management committee.

The students anticipate prompt attention to these matters and immediate corrective actions to safeguard the integrity of the student elections. They warn that failure to address these concerns adequately and timely will result in actions that may require intervention by higher authorities, including the Central Government.