COOU to Conduct Historic E-Voting SUG Election, Releases Full Timetable

Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu University (COOU) is set to conduct its 2025/2026 Students’ Union Government (SUG) elections using an electronic voting (e-voting) system, marking a major shift in the institution’s electoral process and student governance structure.

The initiative, widely linked to the leadership direction of the Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Kate Azuka Omenugha, FNIPR, is positioned as part of the university’s broader digital transformation agenda anchored on its strategic 3-V framework—Values, Viability, and Visibility.

According to the timetable released by the Office of the Dean of Student Affairs, the electoral process begins with the online sale of nomination forms from March 23 to April 10, 2026. Candidate screening is scheduled for April 13 to April 15, while the publication of qualified aspirants will follow on April 17.

Security screening is set for April 20, with campaigns running between April 21 and April 26. Manifesto defense will hold on April 27, and the electronic voting exercise is scheduled for April 28, 2026.

The electoral guidelines stipulate strict eligibility and conduct standards for aspirants. Candidates are required to obtain financial clearance, maintain good conduct, and be free from records of cultism or examination malpractice. Academic performance thresholds have also been defined, with aspirants for top executive positions such as President, Senate President, Speaker, and Chief Judge required to possess a minimum CGPA of 3.7, while other positions require at least 2.8.

The guidelines further prohibit abusive language, physical confrontation, and the use of musical instruments or public address systems during campaigns, in a bid to ensure orderly and issue-based engagement.

Voting will be conducted entirely online, a development the university describes as a step toward transparency, efficiency, and alignment with global best practices in student governance.

Chairman of the Electoral Committee and Dean of Student Affairs, Prof. Innocent C. Ngangah, urged stakeholders to comply strictly with the timetable and regulations, warning that violations would attract sanctions, including disqualification.

The university community has been encouraged to embrace the innovation as COOU advances its digital governance model under its current leadership.