Posted Friday, April 1, 6:55 p.m.
Junior Audai Shakour will be the next president of the Student Association, the Joint Elections Committee announced early Friday evening.
The JEC acquitted the winner of last week’s run-off of one of two violations brought against him and will certify him as the president-elect of the SA. JEC chairman Justin Neidig said letters will be sent to members of the Election Coordinating Committee, which will officially confirm Shakour as the winner.
“I’m very happy, it appears to finally be over,” Shakour said. “I’m just thankful I’ve had such a great team that has helped me through this entire process, I really want to thank them all.”
After close to a month of legal battles between Shakour and opponent Ben Traverse, the JEC found Shakour in violation of sending an unsolicited e-mail over the social Web site www.thefacebook.com. However, he was found innocent of one count of illegal campaigning in residence halls.
If Shakour had been found guilty of both violations, he would have exceeded the seven-violation limit set for presidential candidates and would have been disqualified from the race. Traverse, who finished second in the run-off, would have been certified SA president-elect if Shakour was expelled.
“I’m delighted and relieved all the legal battles are finally over and Audai will be certified,” said sophomore Jeff Goodman, Shakour’s lead counsel in the most recent violations.
Shakour said he is finally able to begin the process of preparing for his administration, which will officially take office in early May.
“For the last week we’ve already been meeting with people and planning for the next couple of weeks,” Shakour said. “We hope to get all of our campaign initiatives in place by the end of the summer.”
Michelle Tanney, a representative of Traverse’s Coalition for Reform team, said the runner-up will not appeal Friday’s JEC’s decision.
“We don’t expect any action to be taken,” Tanney said. “All the senators-elect are looking forward to starting to the process of next year and working with Audai.”
