After Two Years, OSPOLY Students Use Novel E-Voting to Elect New SUG President

For the first time in two years, students of Osun State Polytechnic (OSPOLY), Iree, have elected a new Students’ Union Government (SUG) president, this time through an electronic voting system that eliminated the controversy and violence often associated with such activities when done physically.

The last students’ union election at OSPOLY was conducted in 2023. Since then, the union had been suspended by the school’s management, replaced by a Provisional Executive Council (PEC) — a committee of handpicked representatives said to be chosen on “merit.” While the PEC acted as a caretaker body, many students never accepted it as a legitimate voice of their union.

For two years, this interim council held sway, even handing over to a fresh set of caretakers before the long-awaited election was eventually held on Friday. Historically, OSPOLY’s student elections have been plagued by ballot snatching, campus journalists’ harassment, physical fights, and external interference. But the adoption of a novel e-voting system changed the narrative.

For the first time, students could vote conveniently from their mobile phones, away from polling units that usually became flashpoints for violence. A central monitoring room, powered throughout the day, projected live statistics on a screen for the Independent Students’ Electoral Commission (ISEC), whose officials watched the process unfold without the usual chaos of ballot boxes.

Three candidates contested for the presidency, but the process ended in favour of Ajayi Kehinde, popularly called Sir Kenny. He was declared the winner for the 2025/2026 academic session after polling 914 votes, defeating Oladeji Israel (Issy), who secured 412 votes, and Ilori Stephen (Analog), who had 219.

The results were officially announced by ISEC Chairman, Soyinka Abraham, at the commission’s situation room. The exercise was witnessed by the Rector, Kehinde Alabi, and other top officials of the institution, including Deputy Rector, Gboyega Oyeleke; Registrar, Oloyede Abiodun; Dean of Student Affairs, Tope Abiola; and Director of Media, Publicity and Protocols, Bayo Fadeji.

Other executive positions were also filled. Abdulsalam Oyatoye emerged as Vice President with 875 votes against Emmanuel Olarunnisola’s 445, while Anuoluwapo Odudu became General Secretary with 856 votes, defeating Abdulquadri Adeleke, who polled 372.

Some posts went unopposed. Fridaos Bello was returned Treasurer with 1,074 votes; Wariths Adeniyi secured the Welfare Director’s seat with 967; Lateef Akinloye emerged Public Relations Officer with 979; and Oni Joshua was elected Financial Secretary with 1,018. Idris Kolapo also stood unopposed as Auditor with 953 votes.

In the contested races, Moses Adeboye became Sports Director with 940 votes, defeating Olayemi Sekoni (57) and Olawale Adesoji (51), while Mariam Jimoh was elected Assistant General Secretary with 628 votes against Abdullahi Olagunju’s 388. Tomiwa Aderounmu emerged as Social Director unopposed with 976 votes.

The newly elected executives are expected to be inaugurated soon to take charge of union leadership in the new academic session.

Editor’s note: We particularly believe e-voting is commendable and could be adopted by Nigeria’s Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) as a replacement for costly election papers, BVAS, and the continual violence pervading Nigeria’s election process.

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