Disclaimer: The following article is the sole opinion of the writer, and does not reflect the views of Southern University, it’s faculty, staff, student government or administration.
What happened during this election should concern every single student on this campus not just those who ran, but everyone whose voice was supposed to be represented through a fair and transparent process.
From the very beginning, there were clear signs that something was not right. Ballots were sent out multiple times within just a few hours, constantly being corrected and redistributed between 8 AM and 11 AM. An election is supposed to be structured, secure, and consistent. When students are receiving a new ballot every hour, it raises a simple but serious question: how can we trust that our votes were accurately counted?
Even more alarming was the sudden resignation of the election committee just hours before the election was officially called. According to a statement that was quickly released and then deleted, there were “multiple, documented violations of the Election Code and SGA Constitution by select candidates.” If that is true, then students deserve to know exactly what those violations were, who was involved, and why those issues were not addressed publicly. The idea that “higher-ups” may have ignored or covered up these concerns only deepens the lack of trust.
There are also allegations that some candidates were not even eligible to run. A bill passed by the senate on April 22, 2025 clearly states that candidates for certain positions must have at least one full year of SGA service from August to April. If individuals who did not meet this requirement were still allowed on the ballot, then the integrity of the entire election is compromised.
This is bigger than just one election. This is about accountability, transparency, and responsibility within both OSLE and SGA. Students have a right to expect that the systems representing them are operating with fairness and honesty. Right now, that expectation is not being met.
Yes, congratulations are in order for those who were announced as winners. But celebration cannot come at the cost of integrity. When the foundation of an election is questionable, the results will always be questioned.
The student body is not asking for anything unreasonable we are asking for clarity. We are asking for honesty. And most importantly, we are calling for a reelection. Because at the end of the day, if students cannot trust the process, then the outcome does not truly represent the people.
This is not something that can be brushed aside or forgotten. This is a moment to stand on business.
