By: Sumner Kongbap
Anthony
During of the Special Camp, who scored 629 votes, was on Friday 26th
July 2019 duly elected Federal President of the Milton Margai College of
Education and Technology (MMCET) polytechnic Students’ Union (SU) Executive for
the 2019/2020 academic year.
The
runner up, Ahmed Sesay of the Students Inclusive Movement (SIM) polled 244
votes while Fatmata Kamara of the Liberty Camp secured 377.The three
presidential candidates are all qualifying year Bachelor in Education students.
The
entire process was widely acclaimed as a novelty due to its orderliness,
peaceful, transparent, accountable and credibility.
The
Acting Principal of the Milton Margai College of Education and Technology
(MMCET) polytechnic, Dr. Philip John Kanu credited the Ministry of Higher and
Technical Education, lecturers, staff, students, the police force and the
college’s security for the peaceful, transparent and accountable conduct of
this year’s elections which he attributed to the collective efforts of all
stakeholders reminding students that acquiring quality education should be
their topmost priority for which his administration would force them to become
responsible citizens.
The
major decision taken by the college administration that was applauded by all
stakeholders was that all students must vacate the campus immediately after
voting and listen to AYV and Star Radio for the election results.
Dr.
Kanu also revealed that his administration examined the causes for last year’s
botched elections that resulted to violence and destruction of college
property, the reason they consulted all stakeholders this year as well as the
three presidential candidates to take decisions underscoring that all external
factors such as past students, lecturers and staff, that influenced past
elections, were removed in addition to firmly warning them to stay out of the
entire process revealing that campaigns and manifestos were conducted and
declared in the open to the satisfaction of all parties, underscored that his
administration provided all the support to adequately prepare the presidential
candidates and commended the management of AYV and Star television stations for
the opportunity given to the presidential candidates to debate and campaign
through their stations.
Dr.
Philip John Kanu also revealed that this is the second Students’ Union election
conducted since his appointment a year ago and clarified that he is not
interested in any of the candidates but the one who would seek the best
interest of students recalling his days as President of the National Union of
Sierra Leone Students (NUSS) and disclosed that some students who were arrested
last week during the campaign period have been suspended indefinitely until the
matter is thoroughly investigated intimating that the culprits were shown the
CCTV footage of their disorderly behavior but stressed that not all students
are bad as 99.9% are very good, the reason the bad ones will be weeded out.
He
furthered informed that the three presidential candidates “are all matured and
solid”, that they slept in the same place on the eve of the elections, ate
breakfast and lunch, voted and even travelled together in the same vehicle to the
two other campuses of Congo Cross and Brookfields on election day accompanied
by the Warden of Students to demonstrate peace, tolerance and non-violence to
their supporters affirming that this is the turning point in the history of the
college and frowned at the use of the word camps but groups to which the
various candidates belong.
According
to the Acting Principal, the responsible Chairmen of the presidential
candidates handed over the students who were involved in skirmishes and
commended all for their unflinching support to the conduct of the credible
elections.
The
Regional Police Commander West, Acting Inspector General of Police Thomas
Mustapha Lahai said the three campuses of the polytechnic were peaceful which
he attributed to through planning to curb indiscipline that has the potential
to undermine development affirming that there was police presence before,
during and after the elections reiterating that police presence was very
visible all over the three campuses.
All
the representatives/observers of the presidential candidates asserted that they
are satisfied with the electoral process revealing that there were 600 eligible
voters for the governorship election and 500 for the presidency but clarified
that only fully paid up students were qualified to vote and must present their
identity cards.
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