UPSA SRC Judicial Council Halts JCR Online Elections Over Constitutional Concerns

The High Chamber of the UPSA SRC Judicial Council has issued an interim injunction restraining the Junior Common Room (JCR) from conducting its upcoming elections online pending the determination of a substantive case challenging the legality of the process.

The ruling followed an ex parte application filed by Henry Anyagre, who argued that the planned online elections violated the JCR’s constitutional provisions, which allegedly require elections to be conducted physically and in person.

According to the applicant, the electoral committee responsible for the elections had also not been publicly constituted or properly introduced to the general membership of the JCR, raising concerns over transparency and legitimacy.

Delivering a unanimous ruling on May 14, 2026, the High Chamber held that the application raised serious legal questions that could not be considered frivolous, particularly regarding alleged breaches of the JCR’s governing rules and electoral procedures.

The Court further noted that allowing the online elections to proceed before hearing the substantive matter could irreparably compromise the integrity of the electoral process and render any future judgment ineffective.

In its ruling, the Judicial Council stressed the need to preserve the status quo and protect the rights of members to a lawful and constitutionally compliant election process.

The Court therefore granted an interim injunction restraining the JCR, its executives, electoral committee, agents and affiliated persons from conducting the elections online or through any digital platform.

The order will remain in force for ten days unless extended by the Court, while the applicant has been directed to serve all relevant court processes on the defendant for the hearing of the substantive case.