Aliyah Kashkari has been disqualified from the UTSU VP Finance and Operations race for “Egregious violations of Fair Play / spirit of elections,” leaving Tony Guo as the only candidate left for the role. Kashkari is the current VP of Student Life at the union. 

The SimplyVoting election results now read that Sammy Onikoyi received 1,176 votes, Kashkari received 1,110, and Guo received 723.

Guo wrote to The Varsity on March 3, “It’s very surprising to hear of their eliminations. I am not privy to the exact nature of their disqualifications, but I can confirm that I am expected to lead as VP of Finance and Operations coming 2026-27. I hope that they continue to serve us well for the rest of their terms and that my transition into my new role remains uneventful.”

There is currently no other information about why Kashkari has been disqualified. UTSU Chief Returning Officer Kyle Ross and current President Melani Veveçka have both confirmed they cannot comment further on the violation or the investigation because it is confidential. 

Veveçka wrote to The Varsity, “the level of detail that is disclosed is set by the Code, and it exists to protect the privacy and dignity of everyone involved, including the candidates and the students whose experiences formed part of these investigations.”

Other VP Finance disqualifications

Onikoyi, the other VP Finance candidate, was disqualified on the night of February 26 for the same listed reason as Kashkari. 

Before Onikoyi was disqualified, multiple students alleged to The Varsity that Onikoyi, or a man claiming he was a friend of Onikoyi, took their phones and submitted a vote for herself while abstaining from voting for anyone else.

The VP Finance and Operations question has the lowest abstention rate of 33.1 per cent of the entire UTSU SimplyVoting ballot. The highest was for VP Student Life at 57 per cent. 

When asked about these allegations, Onikoyi wrote to The Varsity on Sunday, March 1, “we got a ‘Can I speak to your manager’ ass student body now.” 

Onikoyi also wrote, “But good luck with a blonde sorority girl for VP finance with OSAP cuts coming lol,” seemingly referring to Kashkari.

Veveçka confirmed that the appeals process for both candidates has been concluded.  

When asked if Kashkari or Onikoyi’s election violations would affect their current positions on the UTSU, Veveçka wrote, “a candidate’s conduct during an election is evaluated separately from their conduct as an employee or executive… Their behaviour as candidates is what was subject to the elections process, and that process reached its conclusion.”

Veveçka added, “Running for office requires a level of courage, commitment, and public scrutiny that is atypical in a student environment. The individuals involved in this process are students who care about the UTSU and its members. The fact that the process reached difficult conclusions does not change that.”

Onikoyi and Kashkari did not respond to The Varsity’s request for comment. 

Editor’s Note: On March 3, 1:45 pm, this piece was updated to reflect Guo’s statement. 

Editor’s Note: On March 3, 4:30 pm, this piece was updated to reflect Veveçka and Ross’ statements.