[ASU] Issues Arising from the Elections

[Siphokazi Magadla]

Dear Members, 


This message I write in my personal capacity, not as the incoming Vice 
President. Indeed most of us have delighted in the built-up to the elections. 
When our members braved the cold winter evening I was convinced that beyond 
the candidates, the organization was the biggest winner of all. The members of 
this organization claimed their position in all this excitement and rightly 
so. They knew that they have the final say, not the candidates; THEY are the 
ones who direct the future of this organization, not the candidates. 

Brother Prosper arrives at two points of disagreement: the votes that did not 
match the number of registered voters, and the “parading” of the ballot by 
some of our members. The first point was well addressed well before the 
counting and the announcement of the results, so I will not address it. The 
second point however needs closer inspection. The idea that some of our 
members were parading their votes to others carries with it the undertone that 
some members were convinced by others which candidate to vote for. But you and 
I know that is far from the truth. The idea that some members who dared the 
winter cold arrived at the electoral headquarters having not decided which 
candidate to vote for is not being fair to the electorate. The exchange 
between members and the executive has demonstrated the high level of 
participation that this organization has. At times I have felt very sorry for 
the executive, when members fire questions from left, right and centre. But 
this is kind of vibrant environment one prepares to serve. So for some of us 
to doubt the credibility of our members’ decision at this critical moment is 
to me very disturbing and unqualified. 

The night before the elections Moses asked- why all this dancing before the 
night of the feast? I pose my own question- what feast is all this dancing 
for? 



Siphokazi Magadla



"I'm so disturbed when my women students behave as though they can only read 
women, or black students behave as though they can only read blacks, or white 
students behave as though they can only identify with a white writer." - bell 
hooks




Quoting Kwabena Owusu-Kwarteng <ko899105 at ohio.edu>:

> All,
> 
> The debate going on about the possibility of annulling the elections
> is a 
> good and healthy one. Like others have pointed out let us debate the
> issues 
> and not attack the personality of those raising the issues.
> 
> As Damilola has pointed out, the constitution of the ASU gives us no
> 
> recourse to annul the election. That being said, if the
> irregularities 
> being pointed to by Prosper were so bad and he had recommendations he
> 
> should have voiced them before the electoral process. Waiting a
> couple of 
> days to voice those solutions to perceived problems has done us no
> good.
> 
> Also, the issue of annulling the elections should be a non-starter
> since 
> Prosper stood in front of the general body to concede the elections.
> Yes, 
> he pointed out some of the issues he has stated for seeking the
> annulment 
> but he still conceded. If those irregularities were so great why
> concede?
> 
> In addition, for an annulment to be made currently the GB must meet
> to 
> amend the constitution. If such an amendment is made at this point,
> on what 
> grounds will we have to apply it retroactively? I will recommend
> Prosper in 
> all decorum to re-concede the election and work with the incoming
> executive 
> to fix the electoral process where it falls short.
> 
> If that does not work and you still want to be President of an 
> organization, ISU is still around and we always need dedicated men
> and 
> women to serve on the Executive to champion the International and
> African 
> student cause.Over to you...
> 
> 
> Kwabena Owusu-Kwarteng
> Assistant Residential Coordinator
> Crawford/Mackinnon Complex
> 
> Department of Residence Life & Off Campus Living
> Ohio University
> South Green Office
> Athens, Ohio 45701
> 
> O: 740.597.3002
> F: 740.597.7478
> E: ko899105 at ohio.edu
> 
> 
> www.ohio.edu/reslife
> 
> The Division of Student Affairs
> Creating Community, Cultivating Leaders
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