Candidates for the other posts were called on stage accordingly. The post of financial secretary had two candidates: Abraham Wuyep and Obadiah Livingstone.
Abraham with one of his aims for the department if elected, drew the attention of the house. He stated that he will ‘introduce a POS system for payments of departmental dues and the funds generated will be for the department’. Many questions were asked. Among them was that of who will run the POS and how a POS system can minimise temptation of misappropriation of funds. To answer this, the candidate stated that the POS keeps records of transactions made and receipts of payment will be given to students immediately.
Obadiah on the other hand, presented an agenda he called TRAP; Transparency, Records, Accountability, and Proficiency. He emphasised on genuine receipts collection.
Next was Joshua Shiphrah : financial secretary with the slogan, ‘Kobo-to-kobo’.
The candidate for the post of the Secretary General, Ebule Margaret-Mary had a lot of confidence in her ability to deliver up-to-date reports as she had experiences where she served as secretary in two outside organizations.
She also had a vision to introduce a competition she called AMCOMS student of the week which according to her, ‘will run weekly every month for both male and female students’.
The unopposed candidate for vice-president was asked what she planned to do differently asides standing for the president in his abscence. She shared her goal to organise a trade fair where students who are into different businesses can showcase their goods and services.
The last and most important position, the seat of the president, had people thundering applauses even before the candidates were called on stage. Both candidates, Patrick Longogot and Hope Friday Udosen in the order to which they were called, came on stage, and the weight of the position they were running for could almost be seen in the uniqueness of their clothing which was in sharp contrast with that of others. To the satisfaction of all onlookers, they exchanged handshakes and side hugs.
It is important to note that before Friday, the 30th of July, there had been four candidates running for the post of president, but along the way, two dropped for reasons undisclosed to the public.
In the order to which they were called, Patrick Longogot was asked to make his presentation first, with a time frame of five minutes. His agendas for the department included; organising workshops and seminars, skill acquisition, practical applications, inclusive and collective government, lias with all executives in reaching out to students in need and sourcing for funds to help. Lastly, bridging the gap between promise and action.
Hope Friday presented a five-point agenda;
- Push for online voting
- Identify and execute a project in the news room
- A seminar by the department on the menace of fake news.
- Introduce an excursion system for just 200 level for the reason as explained by him, ‘100 level for registration and settling, 200 level an excursion, 300 level internship, and projects for final year’.
- Restock the library.
A question by a special student of 300 level moved the entire house. He pointed out that printed copies of manifestos were shared and no provision was made in braille for visually-impaired students.
Patrick Longogot, because of his aim for ‘all-inclusiveness’, pointed that if elected, provisions will be made and a space will be created for the storing of equipments used by the visually impaired to ease their burden of having to take and bring them back in cases of tests and examinations.
Hope on the other hand, extended a heartfelt apology to the student on behalf of the entire department and assured that whether he emerges winner or not, his voice had been heard and corrections will be taken. He therefore enjoined all aspirants to research more on the positions they are running for and fully understand the expectations.
Another general question was thrown to both candidates on how they hope to maintain peace among their supporters if one of them emerges winner.
Patrick stated that, ‘if by chance Hope emerges winner, he will support his ideas and also help in anyway he can as he believes in teamwork’.
Hope answered with a quote from his manifesto where he recognized that not everyone will align with his views but he always adovates for peace and unity. ‘Victory for one, victory for all’.
After all the candidates had presented, the ELCOMS chairman ran over election do’s and don’ts for candidates. He advised all agents for candidates thus,“if you love someone, do not make trouble for them". He also asked that candiadtes pick agents who have good temperaments.
Only the ELCOMS officials will be allowed close to the ballot boxes.
He also revealed that this year, as opposed to the normal procedure every other year in the past, “if you have a matriculation number, you will vote". This, he said will be because, names of all members have already been compiled and people will stand to tick names instead of the receipt format.
Elections start by 10:00am on Monday, 2nd August, 2021.
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