By Raymond Ekemini
The 2014 Students Union Government, SUG, election of the University of Calabar, UNICAL earlier aborted a month ago took a new dimension yesterday as Malabites and Malabresses had to for the first time decide who rules them online.
The voting exercise commenced at exactly 10am as scheduled. All eligible students had received their voting password that will enable them cast their votes online.
Agents of the candidates and observers and also the security men were taken to the central viewing point where votes were seen dropping as the electorate cast their votes.
For office of the President, four candidates stood for the election namely: Ajang Emmanuel from the Faculty of Law, Akobi Emmanuel and Akobi Nelson from the Faculty of Science, and Ilefa Justin from the Faculty of Management Science.
All the presidential candidates are of Cross River State origin, since the office of the President is always zoned within the three senatorial districts of the state.
Out of the 1,171 votes casted, Ajang Emmanuel polled 682 votes to emerge the President while the other three candidates shared the remaining votes.
Others elected include: Akpan Inemesit Solomon, who polled 617 votes to defeat Henshaw Blessing and Jennifer Oworji and emerged Vice President.
Aniah Paschal, Alawa John, Micheal Okon, Okori Michael all emerged unopposed as General Secretary, Director of Welfare, Financial Secretary, Deputy Secretary respectively.
Others elected are: Chima Akpelu as Director of information, Nsisong Brenda as Director of Sports and Agbeje Angela as Director of Socials.
Speaking after the election, the Vice Chancellor of the University Prof. James Epoke applauded the CUECO members headed by Dr. Anozeng Igiri for the new development and also assured that the e-voting has come to stay in UNICAL.
Earlier the dean of student affairs Prof Eyong Ubana Eyong said that the e-voting is the best option for a well develop university like UNICAL and no student will be disenfranchise due. to the fact that a student can stay anywhere and cast his or her vote.
The Secretary of the Independent Observer team Mrs. Emem Akpan also commended the election and described it as free and fair.
Majority of the candidates’ agents also confirmed the fairness of the election.
Meanwhile, one of the presidential aspirants who lost the election accused the web designer of programming votes for the winner of the elections.
Mr. Akobi Emmanuel who spoke through his agent, Kingsley Ezekwike attacked the credibility of the election and said it was rigged in favor of the winner.
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But when the result of the election was announced to Malabites and Malabresses, the whole hostel was thrown into jubilation for what they described as change of power and right choice in the election.
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