Candidates and students were present for the Students’ Union (SU) 2026 by-election results, announced today in the South Courtyard of MacEwan Hall.
Students enrolled in the fall 2026 semester voted to fill vacancies for representatives in the Schulich School of Engineering, Faculty of Social Work, School of Architecture, Planning and Landscaping (SAPL) and Senate Student-at-Large Representative.
In total, 1,431 students voted in the by-election, this marks a significantly lower turnout from the 2026 General Election back in March.
Schulich’s Engineering representative race was contested with three candidates, two candidates entered into the Senate race, while the Faculty of Social Work and SAPL positions remained uncontested.
Students voting uncontested races were given the ability to vote yes or no rather than through gaining the seat by representation.
Successful candidates provided a statement to the Gauntlet on their win and what they want students to know.
Ciziniah Manimtim returns to council chambers
Ciziniah Manimtim returns to council chambers as the Faculty of Social Work Representative.
Manimtim received 95.5 per cent of the vote, with 21 votes.
“I feel very happy and am excited to be back in my position again as an elected official,” Manimtim said.
“I feel more motivated now to do better this time around,” Manimtim explained. “I feel more inspired after going to the by-elections to actually fulfill my platform for the social work students. I'm really excited for the upcoming six months ahead.”
“I know right now, it might seem like a hopeless and bleak time with tuition increasing,” Manintim said. “Just know that the SU is working really hard to advocate for your needs and fighting for whatever you guys think is right.”
Audrey McLean returns to council chambers
Audrey McLean returns to council chambers as School of Architecture, Planning and Landscaping Representative.
McLean received 87.5 per cent of the vote, with 14 votes.
McLean was not available at the time of the election results and could not give a statement to the Gauntlet.
Hossain returns to council chambers, Cheema joins them in council chambers
Md Samiu Hossain returns to council chambers as the Faculty of Engineering rep. Muhammad Ibrahim Cheema will be joining Hossain in council chambers.
Hossain received the most votes with 41.4 per cent of the vote, with 273 votes.
“I feel very happy about winning. I have to give big prop to all of my constituents in Schulich that they wanted me to be their representative,” shared Hossain. “And really grateful to all the Schulich students who wanted me to be their rep, and I will definitely not disappoint them.”
“For UCalgary students, as part of the SU, even though I'm a faculty rep, they can always reach out to me for any student concerns or anything like that,” stated Hossain. “I feel like it's my responsibility to represent not only engineering students but all types of students from very different facets of the world.”
Cheema received 34.4 per cent of the vote, with 227 votes.
“I want to thank all of [the students] for supporting me and trusting me,” said Cheema. “I ensure [...] they won’t regret voting [for] me and let’s make Schulich stronger together.”
Amber Quo returns to the Senate
Amber Quo returns to the senate chambers as the Senate Student-at-Large Representative. Quo originally did not run again in the 2026 general election but now returns to senate chambers for another term.
Quo received 74.9 per cent of the vote, with 549 votes.
Quo was not available at the time of the election results and could not give a statement to the Gauntlet.
By-election results became official on Friday, Oct. 9.
