Breaking News- Court Annuls UBIIDS GRASAG Election, Orders Rerun for 614 Students

The GRASAG Judiciary Board has annulled the University of Business and Integrated Development Studies (UBIIDS) GRASAG elections following an election petition filed by one of the contenders and 10 others.

The petitioners alleged irregularities, fraud, and a lack of credibility in the electoral register, among other issues.

The petition was filed under the GRASAG constitution, which gives parties the right to challenge the validity of an election after the release of provisional results.

The election was held on 2nd May 2026. The presidential race was fiercely contested between Magnus Balanoe Sunnabo and Mathew Azaang.

On 3rd May 2026, the Electoral Commission released the provisional results as mandated by the constitution.

Mr. Mathew Azaang won with 395 votes, while Mr. Magnus Balanoe Sunnabo trailed with 394 votes—a difference of just one vote.

Following the results, petitioner Magnus Balanoe Sunnabo and 10 others filed a petition seeking a rerun of the election.

On 12th May 2026, the court ruled by a 2:1 majority to annul the results. This means the provisional results previously announced are null and void. The Electoral Commission has been directed to sanitize the register within a week and conduct a supplementary election for the 614 disenfranchised students.

The court also ordered the EC to compile the contact details of the affected students and allow them to vote. Their votes will subsequently be added to the votes already obtained by each candidate.

Only the president and organizer positions will be contested in the rerun.

Speaking to the media, co-counsel for the petitioners, Mr. Charles Dery, described the outcome as the "beauty of democracy." He said his team and clients were overjoyed by the decision.

According to him, they feel vindicated and commend the court for enhancing the Association’s democracy through careful scrutiny of the Electoral Commission’s actions. He expressed optimism that the ruling will set a precedent to guide future GRASAG elections.

Denis Andaban // Vision TV