By: Olanshile Ogunrinu
The Union of Campus Journalists, University of Ibadan has commenced the electoral process for the 35th administration after lifting the ban on electoral activities in the Union.
In the communique released by the Union’s electoral commission announcing the commencement of sales of forms for office, The forms for the office of President, Vice President Editorial, Vice President Administration, General Secretary, Financial Secretary, PRO I, PRO II, and Assistant General Secretary were declared available.
Also, the guidelines for eligibility includes that all aspirants must be a member of any press club/organization that has fulfilled its financial and other obligations to the union and any member who is either facing a disciplinary case or serving a punitive measure either with the university or the union as at the time of any election shall not be eligible to contest for election, except such disciplinary case with the university is borne out of diligence at journalism.
In addition, aspirants to the office of President, Vice President, Editor-in-Chief, or General Secretary must have been an inducted member of the Union for at least one full session and must have been an editor in his/her local press organization for at least one full session.
Furthermore, Only inducted members of the union are eligible to contest the Union elections and all candidates must be duly acknowledged or recommended by their Editors-in-chief.
Speaking on the lifting of the ban, Victor Oginni, Chairman of the 34th UCJ electoral committee encourage campus journalists to show interest in the electoral process while stating his commitment to a free and fair electoral process.
“The election process will be transparent, free and fair. Also, I would like to encourage eligible candidates to show interest in the various executive positions and offer their skills and experience to the service of the union,” he said.
