(LASUMSA) DECIDES 2020.

ADESIJI-ADELEKAN ADEMILAYO EUNICE.

The Lagos State University Medical Students Association (LASUMSA) had its election on Friday the 4th of December 2020 at the multipurpose hall in the Gold hostel of LASUCOM.

After series of preparation by the Independent Electoral Committee (IEC), in addition to the new normal caused by the CORONA pandemic, the election process was actually a different one.

The usual events that take place in the electioneering process from the sales of forms, pre election talks, campaign and manifesto had to be done virtually and on-site, so as to keep to the social distancing rules put in place by both the school authorities and the government.

Speaking with Oteniyi Omolara the Chairlady Electoral Committee, she mentioned that activities had been affected by the pandemic, and also the manner through which students of the college have been asked to resume, has being unfavorable.

Therefore, sales of form had to be made on line, which would not give equal opportunity and awareness to the freshers as well as those yet to resume.

Oteniya Omolara made it known to the ACJ-LASU correspondents during an interview, she said, "for smooth process on the day of voting, online mock voting was done" She also stated that part of the challenges they had with doing most things virtually was the absence of some candidates in programmes held virtually, which led to the debates being held onsite with attendance of 15 students per class and shorter duration for manifestos all of which can be seen on the LASUMSA IG page.

Furthermore, the two LASUMSA presidential candidates, also spoke to the the ACJ-LASU, correspondent about their aims and objectives.

The first female candidate to contest for the LASUMSA presidential position Badmus Oluwatobiloba Chinonso AKA Tobi Badmus and Makinde Abdulfatai Olumide AKA Oloye G.

In the interview with Tobi Badmus she mentioned that a few people were bothered about her gender being an obstacle and also stated that buying forms was covenient for them, as the forms were both online unlike in the past were forms had to be bought physically, she also commended every candidate and especially showrd gratitude to her campaign team, stating that the pandemic made them become really innovative as campaigns and manifestos had to be done virtually.

She commended the IEC for their efforts as this was the first time the electioneering processes had to be done online and onsite and also stated that they have a lot of room for improvement. Overall she is confident of that electoral process had being carried out smoothly.

While her opppnent Oloye G, stated that there is a lot of room for the IEC to improve as the election was meant to be held online for all levels as opposed to only the 200 level students voting online, he also complained about the 200 level students having issues with the online voting system as they received their voting codes late and the voting started late.

He expressed a bit of dissatisfaction, about the electorates being sentimental about gender which he thought will gain his opponent supporters, although he is very confident of his abilities and hopes he would win so he can render his service to the Medical Students Association.

The ACJ-LASU correspondents observed the whole electioneerimg process and had a chat with some of the electorates and also a member of the Electoral Committee, Salami Oladeji. In our chat with Salami Oladeji he stated that there had been an 80% turnout of campus voters. The electorates also stated that there had been no issues while voting and it was an easy procedure and not time consuming.

The acting president of LASUMSA Eyitayo Kasumu, also expressed his displeasure over the short times for debate, questioning and manifesto of the presidential candidates and the sudden change of the online voting for the pysical voting. He also stated that the pandemic has affected a lot of things as in the past there was no such thing as curfew in the hostel but now there is curfew, he stated that this also affected the elections. He stated that he had heard electorates tag this year's manifesto as the worst manifesto ever heard and he quite agrees with them.

The elections went smoothly as there were few to no issues during the electioneering process and during the count of votes. Social distancing measures were also taken in the voting hall, everyone had their nose masks on and it was orderly.

The underlisted are the names of the executive elect for the 2021/2022 tenure:

PRESIDENT: MAKINDE ABDULFATAI OLUMIDE

VICE PRESIDENT: FANIYI OLUWATOBI AYODELE

GENERAL SECRETARY: ODUKOYA TOLANI

FINANCIAL SECRETARY: SHANU ABDULLATEEF ABAYOMI

ASSISTANT GENERAL SECRETARY: OKOYE PAUL

WELFARE SECRETARY: OLAOYE MOHAMMED-IL-AWWAL KOREDE

DIRECTOR OF SPORTS: OLADUNJOYE MICHAEL

TREASURER: AREMU OLUSOLA

PUBLIC RELATIONS OFFICER: AYODELE ITUNUOLUWA
The under listed are the names of LASUMSA Senators for the 2021/2022 tenure

o Moshood Habeeb Omobolaji, Speaker

o Afeez Ajagbe Abiodun, Deputy Speaker

o Holo Oluwaseun Scribe

o Adeogun Adebisi Oyinkansola

o Ogunleye Sodiq Oladimeji

o Shokunbi Abdulbasit

o Liasu-Thomas Jumobi Abeebat

o Mustapha Mubarak

o Sangosanya Gbotemi Adetomiwa

o Ajadi Yetunde

o Okenwa Rejoice Chisom

o Fadeyi Bilikis Abiola

o Lana Promise

o Oyenuga Oludola

o Shodunke Ayomide Lateefat

o Bakare Temitope

o Osunsanmi Demilade Olaoluwa

o Umossoh Akaninyene

o Tolulope Abioje

Oteniya, Omolara Theresa
Chairman, Electoral Committee 2020