FCMS Holds First Student Election, Elects New Executive Council
By Igboka Annabel
Department of Development and Strategic Communication University of Abuja.
The Faculty of Communication and Media Studies (FCMS) conducted its first-ever student election on Friday, June 26, 2026, beginning at 8:00 a.m. The election saw students elect representatives into various executive positions. Although voter turnout was initially low, participation increased as the exercise progressed, and both the voting and counting processes were conducted peacefully.
The election marked a significant milestone for the faculty as its first student election. While the offices of President, Vice President, Director of Welfare and Director of Socials were contested, several other positions were unopposed. For the unopposed positions, voters were issued ballot papers containing only “Yes” and “No” options to either endorse or reject each candidate.
Voting commenced with mostly 100-level students and a few 200-level students participating. Members of the electoral committee guided voters throughout the exercise, while candidate agents represented each contestant in the electoral hall. By about 10:00 a.m., voter turnout increased significantly as more 200-level students arrived. At about 11:00 a.m., the polling unit was filled with eligible voters who queued patiently to cast their ballots.
Several voters were observed asking questions about the unopposed candidates because their names were not printed on the ballot papers. Students also discussed their preferred candidates while waiting in line, with some appearing to change their minds before voting.
At 11:50 a.m., a member of the electoral committee announced, “Remaining 10 minutes to cast your votes,” reminding students that polling would close at noon. Voting officially ended at 12:00 p.m., after which the electoral committee collected the ballot papers and commenced counting, beginning with the Director of Welfare ballot box.
The counting was conducted openly from the upstairs corridor of the faculty building in the presence of candidate agents and students gathered below, who echoed each vote as it was announced. The Director of Welfare contest between Agatha and Onyebuchi remained closely contested. Agatha established an early lead, Onyebuchi caught up midway through the count, but Agatha regained the lead before the counting concluded.
After the physical ballots were counted, the electoral committee added the online votes to produce the final results. Oladoja was elected President with a total of 278 votes, defeating Micheal, who polled 87 votes. Shukurah emerged Vice President with 244 votes against Ene’s 125. Riri won the position of Director of Socials with 216 votes, defeating Peculiar, who secured 144 votes. Agatha was elected Director of Welfare with 278 votes, ahead of Onyebuchi’s 132 votes.
For the unopposed positions, Gladys emerged Secretary General, Hycent as Financial Secretary, Micheal as Director of Sports, Omolola as Treasurer, Ola as Director of Academics, Esther as Provost, Bella as Director of Information, and Chioma as Assistant Secretary General.
The peaceful conduct of the exercise marked a successful conclusion to the Faculty of Communication and Media Studies first student election, ushering in a new executive council to lead the faculty’s student body.
