By Lkite Adedeji Adebusuyi Raphael, Associate Editor
In the last plenary session of the Law Students Representative Council (LSRC), amongst the resolutions deliberated upon by it, was the formal inauguration of appointed individuals as members of the electoral committee for the forthcoming Law Students Society election. The inauguration, as proclaimed by the council was duly executed in accordance with the provision of Section 49(7) of the LSS Constitution 2020.
The electoral committee, set up in every session by the LSRC is duly empowered, and saddled with the responsibility to organize and conduct elections within the Law Students Society. The election encompasses aspirants competing for various political offices across different levels on the same levelled ground, with each aspirant, weighing their perceived competence, proclaimed interests and advertised manifestos in the hearts of the public, these, which are subsequently manifested through voting by the members of the society.
The contested political offices include;
1. The Students Executive Council (SEC), with the president office often garnering the most attention, creating an atmosphere marked by both tension and anticipation.
2. The Law Students' Representative Council; with solicited representations across the levels.
3. The Senatorial Representative Council and the Chief Justice of the Students Union Government of Adekunle Ajasin University, Akungba-Akoko.
On these premises, Legal Kekenke, as part of its aim to ensure a mirrored stance of the society members' opinions, and as well, offer insight into their representation in various political offices and levels, conducted interviews with the members of the electoral committee. With these, the members of the society would have enhanced awareness and sensitization about the forthcoming election.
ELECTORAL COMMITTEE FOR THE FORTHCOMING LSS ELECTION
1. Raji Benedict Mayokun, CHAIRMAN
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Raji Benedict is a 400-level student, whose appointment could undoubtedly be considered meritable on the basis of his previous appointment, active participation and representation in the activities of the society. He was previously appointed as a member of the electoral committee that conducted election that led to the emergence of Mayor's administration. He described his first experience in the internal electoral system as enlightening, and its impact in paving way to the knowledge he has accumulated as, indelible.
In a bid to gain more insight into the electoral process, the chairman dissected some topic of major concerns, and gave a sneek peak on the committee's plans and effort to achieving its sole aim of maintaining and securing the standard of a properly conducted, free and fair election.
What are your experiences as regards election within the faculty (students campus generally), and what are the things you perceive effect a properly conducted election or otherwise?
A properly conducted election usually involves transparency, fairness, and inclusivity. It's important to have clear rules, unbiased organizers, and a democratic voting process. Effective communication, candidate debates, and voter education also play a role. Also, a well-conducted election should reflect the will of the student body and ensure that everyone's voice is heard. LSS Elections have witnessed so far are properly conducted except the issue of late collation and announcement of results. The last election was smooth. The collation and the announcement of the election result were done without delay as well. The LSSEC is working effectively to ensure a properly conducted election.
Do you think there were some anomalies in the past lss elections, that should be evaded?—and if there were, how do you intend to prevent such in the coming election?
Anomalies during election? I can’t say there are anomalies during our elections. The main issue with LSS election is the conduct of electorates during electoral processes as some people get hyper maybe due to late announcement of result which I think was rectified during the last election. The current electoral committee will make efforts to ensure a smooth electoral process. As such, plans are already underway to see to that.
What are the things the members of the society should be in expectant of—and how do you intend to work with the other members of the committee to achieve this/these?
The members of the society should be expecting a free, fair and smooth electoral process. The electoral committee is working effortlessly to ensure this election is the smoothest ever witnessed in the faculty. We, as a committee are working collectively to put in place the things required to ensure the success of the election.
2. Ayadi Charity
(No comment due to unavailability/inability of the interviewee to respond)
3. Balogun Hope Oreofe, SECRETARY
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Balogun Hope is a 300-level student who has also been previously appointed as her constituency's representative in the committee. Her perception towards ensuring a properly conducted election is drifted towards having an independent, and non-partisan body at the helms of the affairs of organizing and conducting elections.
She also appraised the earlier standard laid by the former committees during the past elections. In furtherance, she said;
The society should expect the best from the Committee because with the help of God, we will deliver nothing but the best. I believe in unity, and I truly believe that since every member of the commitee is more of a family, we will be able to deliver the best by working together for the forthcoming election.
4. Arukuje Segun Blessed, MEMBER
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Arukuje Segun Blessed is a 300-level student whose appointment was also the second. He described the conducts and improper voting by the electorates during the past election as the major challenges. And in lieu of that, the members of the society should expect an hitchfree election results, as plans are in motion to circumvent the usual practices and conducts to ensure votes are casted satisfactorily.
5. Adeniji Taiwo, PUBLIC RELATIONS OFFICER
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Adeniji Taiwo is a 200-level student nominated to represent his constituency as a member of the electoral committee. He highlighted the importance of non-partisan committee, education and sensitization of the voters and the maintenance of peaceful coexistence during election.
He made reference to the complaints of the voters during the immediate election on their lack of awareness on the proper way to vote. He however resuscitated hope for change in this regard, by acclaiming the committee had planned on the appropriate ways to avert another of such occurrence.
In his words:
The chairman of the committee and three other members have been part of the other previous electoral committees. I’m sure with their experiences and knowledge of the election, along with the contributions from I and my colleagues, the society can expect what can be the best election yet in the history of the society.
6. Osadugba Marvellous Ajijolajesu, MEMBER
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Osadugba Marvellous, a 200-level student whose involvement in the society's activities span across being a member of the Green Law Society, and Christian Law Students' Fellowship. Being a member of the committee for the first time, he reminisced about his involvement in the past election and attributed a properly conducted election to orderliness, proper security and honesty of the electoral committee.
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Having perused on the perspectives and submissions of each member of the electoral committee, it is therefore important to advise the society members to prepare their minds, and cooperate with the committee in the forthcoming election in order to ensure that the preference of the majority are accurately reflected or manifested in the outcome of the election.
LK...Making A Statement!
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