Independent candidate takes only contested race
Photo: Lindsay MacMillan
The unofficial election results for the Graduate Students’ Association (GSAÉD) came in late March 19, with an independent candidate winning the only contested race among five allied candidates.
One hundred graduate students voted out of a total 6,300 eligible voters. Almost double that number voted in last year’s election. The GSAÉD constitution doesn’t identify a minimum number of votes necessary for an election.
The only contested race in the election was for the university affairs commissioner. Giancarlo Cerquozzi, who ran independently, received 52 votes, while the Alliance slate’s candidate William El Khoury received 35 votes.
Cerquozzi thanked students for the opportunity, saying “it’s imperative that GSAÉD engages with graduate students and increases participation, engagement, and interest over the next year.”
El Khoury called the election an “amazing and motivating” experience, adding that while not a member of the executive, he is still part of GSAÉD.
“I’m extremely happy that the rest of the Alliance made it and I would like to congratulate my teammates. Giancarlo has a great platform and I support him completely, I’ll make sure he follows through, and I wish him all the luck.”
El Khoury was the only international student in the running.
All executive candidates who ran unopposed were also all part of the Alliance slate, and were voted in. For internal commissioner, Antoine Przyblak-Brouillard received 65 votes in favour and 20 opposed. Incoming external commissioner Kelly-Dawn Clarahan had 70 votes to 16. For student life commissioner, Nicolette Addesa went 70 for and 18 against.
Finance commissioner Matthew Lafrenière received 67 votes for and 18 votes against. Lafrenière, who is also running for a Liberal nomination for MP in Simcoe North, previously said if he were to win both positions, he would choose to represent Simcoe North.
Both representatives for the university Senate were elected. Ali Shaker will represent humanities and Marie-France Paré will represent science. Robert Head was elected to the Board of Governors.
