‘Serious’ allegations undermine University of Winnipeg Students’ Association election

Students at the University of Winnipeg will have to wait to find out who will run the school’s students’ association after the recent election has been marred with concerns and complaints.

Second-year student Aleeza Ali says she was confused after people on a campaign during the election, which took place earlier this month, allegedly stole her vote – by taking her phone and casting her ballot.

“I had my phone basically grabbed and then they asked me whether or not they could vote for me and at that point, I was kind of stuck, so I just said: ‘yes.’ But I thought they wouldn’t have submitted the vote, but they had,” Ali recounted.

“After that I was like, ‘Whoa what the heck.’”

Ali called the situation “unfair.”

“I wish I could have voted for myself, but they voted for me,” she said.

Ali says she doesn’t feel a new election should be called, but hopes people who went through something similar come forward.

“I don’t think I’m the only person who went through this,” she said.

First-year student Winona Zamora claims she witnessed pushy campaign tactics first-hand, and says reports of voter fraud and problematic campaign practices are circulating widely on campus.

“It’s multiple stories, it’s not like a single event,” Zamora said.

“To me, it’s honestly appalling that the university is not super strict about this.”

A social media post from the University of Winnipeg Students’ Association (UWSA) acknowledged the controversy.

“Due to the large number of complaints regarding violations of the bylaws, policies, and regulations during the campaign and voting period, the ratification of the results will take longer than usual to ensure fairness and compliance,” Friday’s post read.

CityNews requested an interview with the UWSA’s chief elections commissioner, but a statement was provided instead.

“During the 2024 University of Winnipeg Students’ Association’s (the “UWSA”) General Elections, the UWSA received complaints from students and the larger university community about their experiences in association with the election,” the UWSA wrote. “Some of these complaints contain allegations that are quite serious in nature. The UWSA is currently reviewing the situation and thanks everyone involved for their continued patience.”

Meanwhile a spokesperson for the University of Winnipeg told CityNews it is “still going through the process of looking into this situation” and couldn’t immediately provide more information.