CASE 1 – Mohamed Al-Yasseri
Judge Layal Zien:
- The SG constitution, Article XV, section II, has been interpreted to apply to presidents who are already in presidency, not simply running. Therefore, this article cannot be used as an argument against the disqualification of candidates.
- If mudslinging was used against the candidate, Mohamed Al-Yasseri, then he can submit another case to potentially penalize the current president.
- Al-Yasseri claimed that voter awareness was there due to campaigns, the judiciary decided that the issue was not the campaigns, but instead the date of the election. According to the Constitution, the date needs to be specified.
Judge Zeinab Seblini:
- Lack of awareness: The student mentioned lack of awareness wasn’t an issue in the previous election as students had posters hung up and spread the word around enough. Although this is true, posters and knowledge about the election wasn’t the issue. The problem was students not knowing the date of the election. It started over the weekend, and finished first hour Monday. That wasn’t enough time for students to even be aware ballots went out.
- Unqualified candidate: The student mentioned that if there were any unqualified candidates, they should be removed from their presidency and the runner-up would take their place. As this was our original resort, with all the other little issues that made big differences, this is where our decision ended.
Judge Lama Charara:
- The lack of awareness was not because of a lack of announcements and flyers but rather the election going on during the weekend. The election was not redone solely because of the campaign videos but for a plethora of reasons such as the date and having the other option. The election was redone to have free and fair elections, a candidate not winning the second election is not a good enough reason to nullify the election once again.
CASE 2 – Chafik Al Jawhari
Judge Layal Zien:
- The constitution does not prohibit that additional campaign rules can be added by a legislative motion. Due to this, a video requirement was not unconstitutional. The candidate, Chafik Al Jawhari, did not submit the video, therefore was rightfully disqualified.
Judge Zeinab Seblini:
- Students removal from the ballot: The students claim all students have the right to be on the ballot. As they do, there were also set requirements for this. If you can’t finish the basic requirements, you can’t have a place on the ballot. Due to many students being on the ballot who did not complete the basic requirements, we created a new ballot without the unqualified candidates names.
Judge Lama Charara:
- All candidates were informed of the requirements to run, including the video. Any candidate that fails to meet these requirements are to be disqualified.
CASE 1 – Final Judgment of the Supreme Court
- Article XV, section II, only applies to presidents who are already in the presidency. Therefore, this article cannot be used as an argument against the disqualification of candidates. If a candidate believes that the opposing candidate unfairly won the election, then they may submit a case with their argument.
CASE 2 – Final Judgment of the Supreme Court
- Article XI, section III, does not prohibit the legislature from adding candidate requirements. If a legislative motion is approved, then the requirements are adjusted. Thus, any additional criteria must be followed by candidates.
Hamadeh Educational Services Student Government Association 