Voting in the Oxford Student Union elections has finished following three days of online ballots open to all matriculated students. The elections, held between 9 and 12 February, saw students vote for four full-time sabbatical officers alongside several part-time roles and student trustee positions, which will collectively shape the Student Union’s direction in the coming academic year.
The total number of votes cast was 14199, by 2862 individual voters. The elected officers, announced today, are as follows:
Sabbatical Officers:
President for Communities and Common Rooms – Roxi Rusu
President for Undergraduates – Zagham Farhan
President for Postgraduates – David Quan
President for Welfare, Equity and Inclusion – Catherine Kola-Balogun
Other Roles:
International Students’ Officer – Sthapatya Saketh Kotamraju
LGBTQ+ Officer – Valerie Mann
Disabled Students’ Officer – Regn Pooley
Societies Officer – Janet Wang
Student Trustees – Alisa Brown, Honcques Laus and Isabel Hetherington
A spokesperson from the Student Union said, “We have been delighted to see so many students engaging with the SU Leadership elections and thank all students who took the time to run for and vote for all roles, at a time where democracy and representation matter more than ever. We look forward to welcoming the President Elects to their roles in July 2026. We will be announcing a bye-election for vacant Part-Time Officer roles in due course. Oxford Shapes the world. Your vote shaped Oxford.”
The election period began with nominations closing on 30 January, after which candidates were formally briefed on 2 February. Campaigning was between the 3rd and 6th February, which included both digital outreach and in-person engagement across colleges. A hustings event gave candidates the opportunity to present their manifestos and respond to questions from students, while many also took part in interviews with The Oxford Blue, where they were asked to outline their vision for the Student Union and address key issues facing students.
The four sabbatical roles, the most prominent at the Student Union, that were up for election, included President for Undergraduates, President for Postgraduates, President for Welfare, Equity and Inclusion, and President for Communities and Common Rooms. Sabbatical Officers take a year out of their studies to work full-time in salaried positions leading the Student Union. They act as representatives for students in dealings with the central University administration, advocate on academic and welfare matters, and coordinate the Student Union’s broader strategic priorities.
The contest for President for Undergraduates featured Zagham Farhan and Digby Gough-Boyack. Four candidates stood for President for Postgraduates: David Quan, Wantoe Teah Wantoe, Mergen Dorjnamjil, and India Kelly. The role of President for Welfare, Equity and Inclusion was contested by Catherine Kola-Balogun, Fitzroy ‘Pablo’ Wickham, Khansa Maria, and Henry Morris. Roxana ‘Roxi’ Rusu stood for President for Communities and Common Rooms. Although unopposed, she continued to campaign throughout the period, encouraging students to participate in the vote and emphasising the importance of a high turnout.
Beyond the sabbatical roles, students also voted on several part-time positions. These included three Student Trustee roles, as well as Societies Officer, International Students Officer, LGBTQ+ Students Officer, and Disabled Students Officer. Part-time officers balance their Student Union responsibilities alongside their academic commitments and typically focus on representing specific student groups or policy areas. A by-election will be held later for other uncontested positions, which were not included in this ballot due to not having any nominated candidates.
Voting was conducted online using the Single Transferable Vote system, allowing students to rank candidates in order of preference. Like in previous years, the ballot also included the option to vote to re-open nominations, giving students the opportunity to reject all listed candidates if they so choose.
The Student Union’s current structure reflects reforms introduced under its recent “Transformation Plan”, which followed a period in which the organisation acknowledged its operational shortcomings and shifted towards a model that centred on essential services and student consultation. The newly elected officers will therefore take office at a time when the Student Union continues to define its role in representing students across academic, welfare, and community matters.
As the results are now confirmed and the transition period begins, attention will turn to how the incoming team intends to implement their manifesto commitments and engage with colleges, common rooms, and the wider University. The direction set by this election will shape student representation in Hilary and Trinity terms and into the next academic year. As the successful candidates begin preparations, The Blue will continue to provide coverage of their terms in office.