Must Read: Reasons why UNN FASA Election was Cancelled - Blessing Udeobasi

Reasons why UNN FASA Election was Cancelled - Blessing Udeobasi 

The intervention team loading seized ballot boxes into a vehicle

The election of the Faculty of Arts Students' Association (FASA) was cancelled on Monday, June 7, by a team led by the associate dean of students affairs, University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN), Dr. Christian Ezeibe, due to

violence and irregularities.

The team which included the director of transport, Students Union Government (SUG), UNN and few representatives from the National Association of Nigeria Students (NANS) arrived the Faculty of Arts Lecture Theatre (the election venue) at around 2: 30 p.m. and after few consultations cancelled the ongoing elections rendering votes already cast invalid. 

“We got information that the election was not going on well and on getting here discovered that the majority of the students want the election cancelled so the associate dean acted accordingly,” Comr. Henry Nwodo, SUG director of transport, explained. 

In an interview with The Record, Dr. Ezeibe revealed that there was a lot of partisan politics among some student leaders which made the election too rowdy, hence, the need for cancellation.

"From now, the student affairs department will take over the conduct of the election and an interim group will be created before another election will take place," he declared.

According to Ms. Anastasia Amoke, a 100 level student of mass communication, some students were denied access to vote and that led to agitations from students who started fighting for their rights. “Now, we have gott what we want, the election has been cancelled and I'm very happy about it,” she stated.

Emmanuel Onyebuchi, one of the presidential aspirants addressing students after the election cancellation.

Ms. Joy Onwe, a 100 level student of archaeology and tourism, said the election was not well organised as the entire atmosphere was too rowdy.

"After I was accredited to vote, I and some of my friends were not allowed to enter the faculty hall to cast our votes. It was as if the officials were selective in letting people into the voting hall. 

"While I was still hustling to be allowed inside, a fight ensued between the officials and some students who felt they were being cheated and this made the officials to lock the door pausing the election. 

"Students got angry and started banging on the door for over 30 minutes before officials from the student affairs department intervened and cancelled the election," she recounted.

Ms. Onwe added that she was not happy about the whole thing because she alongside most other students were really eager to vote at all costs and so they left every other thing amidst preparation for exams just to come and vote. But the cancellation just rendered their efforts useless. 

Ms. Precious Obi-Okonkwo, a 200 level student of history and international studies, said the election was not pleasing because most students instead of going to vote peacefully took to inciting violence and partisans were propagating against their opponents.

Ms. Obi-Okonkwo, who is also an aspirant for the position of assistant secretary-general, therefore, pleaded that another free and fair election be organised so that students can exercise their rights. 

Source >>>> https://therecordunn.com/fasa-election-cancelled-due-to-violence-irregularities-283