The recent GRASAG national elections have been annulled by the Judicial Council of the Graduate Students’ Association of Ghana (GRASAG) following widespread allegations of electoral malpractice, security intimidation, and constitutional breaches. The elections, held on March 5, 2025, at Ensign Global University, were marred by claims of interference, disenfranchisement, and irregularities that prompted multiple petitions from candidates and student leaders.
Among the major concerns highlighted by the Judicial Council was the involvement of armed national security personnel and military officers, who reportedly took control of the electoral process, sidelining the Electoral Commission and creating an atmosphere of intimidation. Additionally, several institutions, including the University of Mines and Technology (UMaT), the Institute of Local Government Studies, and the University of Health and Allied Sciences, were unlawfully barred from voting, while unauthorized entities, such as the Ghana Institute of Surveyors, were permitted to participate.
The three-member panel, chaired by Acting Chief Justice Sumaila Hussein Shaibu, also noted the absence of a voter register and proper verification processes, further undermining the credibility of the elections. Reports of student assaults by security operatives added to the controversy, prompting calls for legal action and accountability.
In response, the Judicial Council has declared the election null and void, directing the Electoral Commission to organize a fresh election within three weeks. Petitioners have further demanded an independent investigation into the security interference, disciplinary measures against those responsible for disenfranchisement, and legal action against those involved in student assaults.
Moving forward, there is a strong call for student elections to remain free from external security influence, ensuring a fair and democratic process. The GRASAG Electoral Commission now faces the challenge of restoring credibility to the election and upholding constitutional standards.
