By Christian Appleton
Harper, Maryland County – May 1, 2025: A wave of violence disrupted student government elections at William V.S. Tubman University early Wednesday morning, leading to an indefinite postponement of the vote originally scheduled for April 30, 2025. The chaotic scenes, marked by vandalism and physical altercations, have shocked the student body and cast a shadow of uncertainty over the university’s political landscape.
Eyewitness accounts detail how unidentified students stormed multiple polling centers during the election process, destroying ballot boxes and electoral materials. The violent incidents resulted in injuries to at least two student election workers, prompting immediate intervention from the university administration.
In a subsequent press release, the university administration confirmed the postponement of the elections, strongly condemning the attacks and announcing a thorough investigation into the incident. “Reports from polling stations indicate that some students stormed several polling centers early this morning, resulting in the destruction of vital election materials… Two student election workers sustained injuries,” the statement read.
Tensions had been escalating between the two leading student political factions: the Student Unification Alliance (SUA), supporting presidential candidate Cyrus Geekor, and the Tubman University Concerned Students Movement (TUCSM), backing Reed Harmon. Allegations of bias leveled against the university’s Independent Elections Committee (IEC) had already fueled friction in the lead-up to the vote.
Supporters of Geekor’s campaign have accused the IEC of being dominated by TUCSM affiliates and implicated Mr. Joerenzo Nyantee, Director for Student Clubs and Activities, in alleged interference designed to favor Harmon’s candidacy.
Earlier in April, Geekor’s team filed a formal complaint with the Harper Magisterial Court, which subsequently instructed the university to adhere strictly to its student policy and electoral guidelines. However, the university proceeded with the April 30 election date without issuing a formal response to the court’s ruling.
In the aftermath of the chaos, Geekor called for the establishment of an Interim Student Government Management Team and a complete restructuring of the IEC. “I accept the university’s statement, but the current committee lacks credibility. We need an impartial team to guide the process,” he told reporters.
Reed Harmon, meanwhile, expressed regret over the events and indicated that his team is assessing the situation before announcing their next course of action.
While the university hinted at a potential rescheduling of the elections in May, no new date has been set. With final exams scheduled from May 12 to 17, many students now fear that the elections may not be held before the semester concludes.
As the investigation unfolds, students and observers alike are left awaiting clarity, hoping the university can restore order and transparency to its democratic process.
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