By: Amidu Kallon
The Office of the Dean of Students’ Affairs at the University of Makeni (UNIMAK) has released the final schedule and key guidelines ahead of the upcoming Students’ Representative Council (SRC) elections, urging all aspiring candidates and members of the student body to adhere strictly to the outlined procedures to ensure a free, fair, and orderly process.
In a memorandum dated 11 January 2026, university authorities announced that all campaign activities will officially end on Wednesday, 14 January 2026. The Office of the Dean of Students’ Affairs emphasized that no form of campaigning will be permitted beyond this date, in accordance with the established electoral code of conduct governing student elections at UNIMAK.
As part of the final electoral activities, a presidential debate has been scheduled for Thursday, 15 January 2026, at the University Auditorium. The debate will commence promptly at 3:00 pm and will be moderated by Mr. Andrew Sesay under the supervision of the University Debate Council and the Elections Committee.
All participating candidates are required to arrive and complete check-in by 2:45 pm. Any candidate arriving after 3:00 pm will be disqualified from participating in the debate. The Dean of Students’ Affairs has encouraged the wider student body to attend the debate, describing it as a vital platform for engagement and informed decision-making.
The memorandum also announced a mandatory cool-off period on Friday, 16 January 2026. During this 24-hour interval, all forms of campaign activities are strictly prohibited. The university explained that this period is intended to allow students time to reflect carefully on their choices ahead of the polls.
Voting will take place on Saturday, 17 January 2026, from 9:00 am to 12:00 noon. Polling stations will close exactly at noon, after which vote counting will begin immediately. Election results will be announced once the counting process has been completed and verified by the appropriate authorities.
The university has advised students and aspirants seeking further clarification to contact the Office of the Dean of Students’ Affairs directly via the phone numbers or email address provided. The office concluded by calling on the entire university community to approach the elections with integrity, respect, and enthusiasm, noting that a credible electoral process is essential to strengthening student leadership and democratic culture at UNIMAK.