Howard Elections Commission Announces Initiatives Going Forward

After two weeks into the fall semester, the Howard Elections Commission outlined a new page to running student elections to aim for efficiency, transparency and collaboration within the student body.

Director of Communications Tochi Thekona opens the floor to questions from the press. (Faith Harper/Spotlight Network Television)

By Faith Harper

WASHINGTON– Ahead of Labor Day weekend, Howard University’s Elections Commission held its inaugural press conference to lay out a tentative plan for the fall election operations and beyond, and also give a space for students to voice their concerns. On last Friday afternoon in Armour J. Blackburn University Center Ballroom, sunlit empty chairs lined the space, but the attendance did not seem to dim the light of the new board’s hopes for the future.

The Elections Commission is primarily responsible for confirming that all Howard University Student Association (HUSA) elections are being held responsible under the Elections Code. The conference highlighted the pillars of ‘equity’, ‘transparency’ and ‘integrity’ as standards and encouraged the student body to continue to hold the commission accountable in reference to past handlings of the board. Associate Commissioner Jae’Dyn Smith delivered a statement expressing the intention of taking responsibility for past issues and with hopes to rebuild the trust of the student body. In response to the administration being relieved of their duties, Smith held them accountable.

“The removal of the last administration was no one’s fault but their own,” Smith said. “The commission was inefficient, unpredictable and standoffish. Many students came to the Elections Commission looking to make a change or to get involved and were met with the same ‘runaround’ that we condemn our own university and administration for. We will not stand that legacy any further.”

Students and press start to filter into Blackburn Ballroom for the press conference. (Faith Harper/Spotlight Network Television)

Spring 2025 student elections held as much space on the Yard as they did on social media platforms, like Fizz, for students to interact with one another about candidates. Last semester, Fizz became a podium for users to post candidates’ flyers, funding efforts and other campaign strategies, and some participants labeled the experience as cyberbullying. In an effort to address concerns about regaining the confidence of students for fair elections and campaigns, the commission revealed that their violations committee are working to procure tangible evidence and ensure that strikes are. 

“The reason why most of the strikes in the last elections were not upheld was because we did not have enough evidence,” Director of Communications Tochi Thekona said. “This is why this year we have an investigations team to make sure if it’s a strike it’s because we have proof that it is a strike.” 

Approaching situations proactively rather than in reactivity is another goal the commission officers stated as a way to gain back the trust of the student body. Thekona noted that accessibility and better communication are already being worked on because they are automating their forms when graphics or other campaign materials are submitted. However, the executive board does not want students to mistake their preparedness for lacking readiness in situations that cause them to have to adapt to something not already in the plan.

“While we are very proactive this year that does not mean that we are not well equipped to be reactionary,” Thekona said. “We can recognize that when something happens it is time to make those things better for the campaigns.”

The executive board mentioned implementing more press conferences, candidate mixers for students who have questions about campaigning and other commission-led events to explain what their work entails to create a less intimidating tone surrounding running for student leader positions. Emphasizing a “united front” was intertwined in many of the officers’ dialects in addition to bringing seriousness back to the position of student leadership. 

Elections Commissioner Willie White III was appointed by HUSA’s 64th President Jay Jones. White calls for making their pillars more than just words and urges students to participate in student elections. (Faith Harper/Spotlight Network Television)

Elections Commissioner Willie White III reminded attendees of the election’s code and how the board is committed to the foundation of fairness, integrity, equity and respect for democracy as it pertains to students wishing to get involved in the process.

“Equity means that no student is left out of the electoral process,” White said. “Whether they are vying to be a student leader or engaging in civic duty as voters, their background, financial circumstances, organization affiliations or their status on this campus will not be a factor in who has a right to participate within elections.”

Fall 2025 Special Elections campaigning is set to begin Sept. 8 and voting commences Sept. 25. The results party is scheduled for Sept. 26.