Memorial University of Newfoundland Students’ Union (MUNSU) has confirmed that its Board of Directors voted to expel four candidates for violations of election policies at its April 9, 2026, emergency meeting, including the Executive Director of Campaigns Rana Abuidris, who was recently placed on a four-week unpaid suspension.
MUNSU Board of Directors Chair Mackenzie Broders said Abuidris was expelled in accordance with Section 8.03(h) of the Elections Policy, which states: “Any candidates and/or their campaigns knowingly in conspiracy with another candidate and/or campaign(s) in an effort to increase their chances of being elected, known as slating, will be expelled from the election.”
Broders said that Abuidris reposted another candidate’s official campaign materials on social media for a period of two days during the voting period and failed to remove the said materials upon request by the Chief Returning Officer.
In the election, Abuidris received 450 yes votes and 120 no votes.
Other candidates expelled included Chioma Ehigie, Stephen Ehigie, and Shokry “Ziad” Ahmed.
Chioma Ehigie was also expelled in accordance with Section 8.03(h) for the offence of slating based on his appearance in an official campaign video that included another candidate.
Stephen Ehigie was expelled in accordance with Section 8.01(c) due to receiving eight strikes in excess of the number permitted.
Ahmed was expelled in accordance with Section 8.03(h) for the offence of slating based on his posting of an official campaign video that included another candidate.
In the election, Chioma Ehigie received 386 yes votes and 57 no votes for the Centre for Nursing Studies Representative position. Stephen Ehigie was defeated by Kazi Taqi Yeasir, who received 344 votes compared to his 266 votes for the Executive Director of External Affairs position. Ahmed was defeated by Nathan Gillingham, who received 312 votes compared to his 120 votes, and Isfak Ahmed Nehal’s 169 votes for the Executive Director of Finance position.
Broders said the expulsions were issued on the recommendation of the Elections Committee, and that the role of the Board of Directors is to “determine whether a breach of the Policy occurred and whether the recommendation of the Elections Committee is reasonable given the specific circumstances considered.”
She said the Elections Policy applies equally to all candidates, and they are required to sign an agreement stating they have read and understood the Policy prior to being allowed to campaign, and for this reason, breaches of the Policy are taken very seriously.
Broders said it is not the role of the Board to determine whether there is merit in allowing a candidate to be elected, and the Board cannot waive a requirement of the Elections Policy except in accordance with the Bylaws.
She said the Board “serves a purely procedural function in these matters, and the decision to expel any candidate should not be taken as expressing any opinion or their general suitability to be elected to a role.”
Broders said that if the Board could waive the elections requirements because they feel a candidate is suited for a role, they could equally choose to expel a candidate who they think is unsuited. She said, “This is contrary to the principle of elected governance, and the Board of Directors was clearly advised, on several occasions, that they were not to consider the merit of the candidates, and that their decision was purely procedural in nature.”
She said as Board chair, she can only comment on the substance of the Board’s decision, and not on anything raised in debate or the opinions of individual board members.
Matt Barter is a graduate of the Humanities and Social Sciences Faculty at Memorial University of Newfoundland, holding a degree in Political Science with a minor in Sociology. He enjoys reading thought-provoking articles, taking walks in nature, and volunteering in the community.
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