NDU, USJ Suspend Student Elections as Geagea Regrets Decisions

Notre Dame University – Louaize and Saint Joseph University decided on Thursday to suspend student elections for the current academic year.

The decision comes in light of a quarrel between the Lebanese Forces and Free Patriotic Movement students on Wednesday over the erection of electoral banners at the main NDU campus.

The polls at NDU were the first since the FPM boycotted the elections three years ago.

“The political and security situation in Lebanon, which could impact the campus... will not allow the students to practice their democratic role positively,” USJ board of members said in a statement.

Lebanese Forces leader Samir Geagea expressed regret over the scuffle that erupted at NDU, voicing hope that students would adapt with practicing a “democratic and right” political process.

He considered that the incident doesn't “suit our society.”

Geagea called on the USJ to reconsider its decision to suspend the student elections, urging the administration to carry out the “necessary measures to stage a transparent elections.”

NDU expressed regret in a statement over the incident that occurred in its campus in Zouk Mosbeh, considering it “marred the image of democracy at the university.”

The administration vowed to carry out the necessary investigation to reveal “those who were behind the chaos and who participated in it.”

The FPM youth lashed out in a statement at electoral law adopted by the NDU administration, saying that Wednesday's row is a “clear assault by students affiliated to the LF against the FPM students, who were erecting banners that call for boycotting the elections.”

“Never to wrestle with a pig. You get dirty, and besides, the pig likes it,” the FPM said in its statement, quoting a British proverb.

The FPM considered that the “suspicious timing of the incident coincided with a meeting for the USJ administration to discuss whether or not the student elections will be held.”

H.K.

M.T.