The Toronto Metropolitan Students’ Union (TMSU) called a by-election on Wednesday after failing to generate support from the student body to defer the election until next spring. A motion was brought forth by the TMSU’s science director, Sarthak Sanjay Pradhan, at the TMSU’s special general meeting (SGM) on Monday, and according to the TMSU via Instagram post, only 99 student members voted in favour of the postponement (116 votes were needed to meet the two-thirds majority).
According to TMSU bylaw 6.13.1, “a by-election shall be held in the Fall term and initiated in the month of September.” The failure of the motion on Sept. 29 meant that the TMSU interim co-executive directors were required to call the fall by-election the next day, on Sept 30. Toronto Metropolitan University (TMU) students received an email at 11:45 p.m. on Sept. 30 from the TMSU announcing the details of the fall by-election.
The TMSU currently has eight students on their board of directors: seven who were elected and one who was appointed. These students had their terms extended after the cancellation of the March 2025 election. The full list can be viewed on the TMSU website.
In an April 9 statement, the TMSU Board of Directors said MNP, an external forensic accounting firm, was brought on to independently investigate the TMSU after the chief returning officer (CRO) posted 29 rulings (detailing campaign violations and use of hate speech) and anonymous emails detailed allegations involving TMSU staff, executives, and board members.
MNP was hired to investigate the spring 2025 election as well as other allegations that date back to eight years ago.
The latest report on the investigation, which was presented at the SGM, highlights irregularities in TMSU financial practices and governance at the TMSU.
According to the board report also presented at the SGM, MNP’s investigation thus far suggests that former TMSU executive Ali Yousaf colluded with the chief returning officer and others to manipulate the results of the previous spring 2025 election.
According to MNP’s investigators, they are also investigating allegations about Yousaf infiltrating union structures, including the Elections and Referenda Committee and the Appellate Committee, for personal financial gain.
Yousaf also faces allegations of vendor corruption, threats, extortion, and illegal electronic monitoring, which are currently under review by MNP.
Students at the SGM raised questions about how TMSU operations, student group funding and the by-election will be run.
When asked if ancillary fees are paying for the independent investigation, Lee said yes.
Another student asked if student group funding would be affected by the investigation or by-election, to which the union responded that they (student groups) would not.
A third question asked whether students allegedly linked to past electoral misconduct could run again. Legal counsel responded, saying that according to TMSU bylaws, any TMU student can run in an election.
“TMSU will do everything it can to ensure the election is as fair as possible,” said Lee in a written statement to On The Record News.
Monday’s SGM was the first time the TMSU reached its quorum of 100 undergraduate TMU students (section 3.4.1 of the TMSU bylaws) since December 2022.
The SGM, originally scheduled to run 6-8 p.m., was disrupted after the fire alarm was activated twice and ran just past 10 p.m. after the meeting was extended to ensure enough time to cover all items on the agenda.
More information about the election can be found on the TMSU website.
On The Record reached out to Ali Yousaf for comment, but has not received a response in time for publication.
Correction: On The Record previously reported that the chair, Nour Alideeb, brought forth the motion defer the election. On The Record apologizes for this error. Science director, Sarthak Sanhay Pradhan, was who motioned for the motion.
Correction: On The Record previously reported that the TMSU currently has no elected leadership. On The Record apologizes for this error. The TMSU currently has eight remaining student board of directors (out of 17 total), seven of whom were elected and one who had been appointed.
She is currently in the undergraduate journalism program at Toronto Metropolitan University (formerly known as Ryerson University), where she enjoys creating multimedia content, writing for news and sports, and recording for Frugal Radio whether that be for social media content or full episodes. She is passionate about learning about individual backgrounds, and people’s personal stories whilst learning about new perspectives.
Over the last six to seven years, leadership has been a big part of her journey. Ria actively finds new ways to stay informed and involved in society. She is a passionate leader and team player: analytical and creative in her approach. Throughout high school and now in university, her love for being in student groups, being a part of a team at large, and being a part of a bigger cause has motivated her in all aspects of life. She was formerly the Co-President of the Journalism Course Union and is currently the President of The Society of The Creative School at Toronto Metropolitan University.
Throughout her life, working with cameras, taking pictures, and recording mini-vlogs as a little girl were always some of her favorite things to do. Now, she enjoys working as a Content Creator under the Student Communications department at TMU (@StudentLifeTMU & @ChooseTMU), planning videos, filming and working in post-production, whether that be creating news packages, podcast episodes or social media and marketing content.
No AI was used in the production of this story.
