Students elect new UTMSU representatives in fall by-elections
Fresh voices join the Students’ Union to champion students needs and advocate change.
Every fall, the University of Toronto Mississauga (UTM) Students’ Union (UTMSU) holds by-elections to fill vacant positions within the student government. The process allows students to nominate themselves for open positions. All full-time and part-time undergraduate students are eligible to run, although certain roles have specific eligibility criteria.
This year, students voted in two first-year representatives for Division I: Mekayel Omier and Maryam Kashif Zeeshan. A part-time representative seat for Division III was also available, although no candidate ran for it.
Other Division I candidates included Victoria (Shuran Kou), Oliver (XinChun) Wang, and Syed Shayan Husain. Husain was disqualified from the race after receiving too many demerit points for two counts of “unauthorized and unapproved campaign materials,” according to the UTMSU’s Virtual Wall of Transparency.
By-election rundown
UTMSU President Andrew Park clarified the election process in an email to The Medium. Candidates had to be enrolled in the constituency they wished to represent and remain members in good standing throughout the election period. To qualify, they submitted a nomination package outlining their goals and plans for the upcoming year and commitment to student representation.
First-year representative candidates had to obtain a minimum of 25 nominations from their constituency, each comprising all full-time and part-time fee-paying students, according to UTMSU Bylaw I. Candidates then submitted and verified their nomination packages with the Chief Returning Officer (CRO) and attended a mandatory All-Candidates Meeting, where the CRO reviewed the election rules. Nominations opened in late September, followed by a short silent period before campaigning began.
The official voting period was from October 14 to 16. The voting had to be done physically at polling stations across campus, which operated between 9 a.m. and 6 p.m. each day. Students presented their T-Card and used a pen or pencil to cast their vote.
While the by-elections open the door for new leaders, student participation remains a persistent challenge. This fall, only a small fraction of UTM’s undergraduate students cast their votes, a pattern consistent with previous years. Many students cited limited awareness or uncertainty about what the UTMSU actually does as reasons for not voting. Around eight per cent of eligible students cast their ballot in this year’s by-election, compared to the five per cent turnout last year. For comparison, the UTMSU’s 2025 spring general elections had a turnout of nearly 20 per cent.
Once elected, representatives attend board meetings, vote on budget allocations, and advocate for student priorities such as affordability, accessibility, and campus life. Their term runs until April 2026, giving them a short but meaningful window to create impact.
Interviews with the winners
For newly elected Board of Directors members Omier and Zeeshan, joining the UTMSU is about more than holding a title—it’s about amplifying student voices and driving change on campus. Both first-year political science students entered the by-elections hoping to make advocacy more accessible and representation more visible.
“I really enjoyed orientation,” said Omier, an aspiring criminology and political science double major with a background from the UAE and Pakistan. “I met so many first-years going through the same things. I want to continue that sense of connection through the student union.” Encouraged by friends, he decided to join a team already “putting real effort into helping students” and wanted to contribute to that mission.
Omier’s campaign centred on Instagram, where he created a separate account and conducted digital surveys to learn about students’ concerns. His top goals include expanding bidet access across campus, partnering with the Muslim Students’ Association, and advocating for discounted food during exam season.
He also hopes to involve more first-years in UTMSU activities through volunteer and job opportunities. “They often don’t know anyone or how to get started,” he explained. “I want to change that.”
Zeeshan, planning to major in political science and double minor in forensic science and business, shared a similar commitment to community. “To see change and be a part of it is really rewarding,” she said. “Being on the board means having input on policies—whether supporting or challenging them—and that’s powerful.”
Zeeshan focused on accessibility and outreach. “There are so many resources students don’t know about,” she said. Using Instagram reels and in-person outreach—from chatting with students in busy buildings to offering sweet treats—she prioritized connection. Her goals include installing bidets and musallah spaces in more buildings, working with the U of T Bidet Club, and boosting engagement through inclusive events. “I want to listen, hear concerns, and advocate for what students actually want,” she said.
The representatives’ shared focus on accessibility, representation, and student engagement highlights the evolving priorities of UTM’s student community. Whether through social media, advocacy, or on-the-ground connection, they hope to make UTMSU more approachable and transparent.
