By Buba Gagigo
The University of The Gambia Students’ Union Electoral Commission (UTGSU EC) has disqualified three aspiring candidates for the upcoming student union elections.
Mr. Nyaninka Manjang, an aspiring candidate for the presidency, and Mr. Ousman Drammeh, an aspiring candidate for Gender and Health, were both disqualified after the Commission discovered that they are currently in their eighth (8th) and final academic semester at the University of The Gambia. According to the UTGSU Constitution; Section 60, Subsections (4), for a person to be qualified to contest for any position under the Student’s Union, he or she must have at least two semesters left for study at the University of the Gambia.
“After carefully reviewing *Mr. Manjang and Mr. Drammeh’s* records, the Commission discovered that both individuals are currently in their eighth(8th) semester at the University of The Gambia. This goes to say that, both of them are in their final academic semester. And according to the UTGSU Constitution; Section 60, Subsections (4), for a person to be qualified to contest for any position under the Student’s Union, he or she must have at least two semesters left for study at the University of the Gambia,” the commission said.
Mr. Sama was disqualified because he is in his first year, second semester at the University of The Gambia. The UTGSU Constitution, Section 60, subsection 2 (e), requires candidates to be upper-class students at the University of The Gambia.
“Backed by records, *Mr. Ebrima Sama* was unable to prove and defend himself before the commission that he is an upper-class student at the University of The Gambia. Moving on, Mr. Ebrima Sama further claimed to be offering two degrees simultaneously. Thus, leading to his disapproval,” they said.
The electoral commission said that the disqualification of the three candidates was backed by evidence from the records they put forward before the Commission.
Below are the approved candidates for the upcoming UTGSU Election scheduled for the 23rd of November 2023.
*A) PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATES*
*1) Alieu Saho*
*2)Modou Lamin Darboe*
*B) VICE PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATES.*
*1) Fatoumata Nyang*
*2) Yunusa Mbaye*
*C) SECRETARY GENERAL*
*1) Foday M. Sillah*
*D) MINISTER OF FINANCE*
*1) Ebou Cham*
*2) Juneidy Jatta.*
*E) MINISTER OF SOCIAL WELFARE AND CULTURE.*
*1)Ludimilda Dasylva*
*2) Zainab Manneh*
*F) MINISTER OF SPORTS*
*1) Amadou kujabi*
*2) Ebrima Touray*
*G) MINISTER OF INFORMATION AND COMMUNICATION*
*1) Fatou Kebbeh*
*2) Lamin L Sanyang*
*H) AUDITOR GENERAL*
*1) Abdoulie S. Bojang*
*2)Omar Bojang*
*I). MINISTER OF TECHNICAL AND LOGISTICS*
*2)Ebrima Dembajang*
*2)Momodou Jallow*
*J) MINISTER OF EDUCATION AND RESEARCH*
*1) Bakary Njie*
*2)Momodou Lamin Khan*
*K).MINISTER OF GENDER AND HEALTH*
*1) Muhammed Keita.*
*L)MINISTER OF AGRICULTURE AND ENVIRONMENT*
*1). Ousman Barjo*
*2). Ramatoulie Jallow*