West Virginia University's Student Government Association Judicial Board certified elections results Wednesday, but disqualified PIRATE Party Governor-elect Ahmad Alashi.
The Office of International Students and Scholars sent an e-mail through its University-sponsored listserv endorsing Alashi and the PIRATE Party at the request of Alashi's roommate.
The Judicial Board's statement said while it understands candidates cannot keep track of every supporter, Alashi needed to take corrective action once he found out the e-mail was sent.
"Mr. Alashi was a student recipient on the listserv and received the e-mail as well. Mr. Alashi claims that he ‘did not pay attention' to all the e-mails he received and it could have been deleted," the statement read. "In essence, the e-mail stood and was allowed to possibly influence voters."
A sense of injustice of this violation harms candidates who did not violate the rules, the statement read.
"Should this violation be allowed to stand without penalty, candidates who campaigned fairly, or did not have the assistance of a university created listserv e-mail, are the students who are truly penalized," it read.
A fine alone would make justice available for purchase, the statement said.
"This fails to balance the scales of justice in favor of those who campaigned fairly according to the policies and procedures," the statement read.
The Judicial Board encouraged Alashi to stay involved with the University and SGA, and he is not suspended from SGA or from running for office in the future.
PIRATE Party Gov. Joe Harmon, who came in 16th place, will take his place on the Board of Governors.
Alashi said he would continue to be involved with SGA and work on his platform of
international students.
"I know all international students are so upset about that, I'm so upset, because I never heard about disqualification until my turn," Alashi said. "I don't know why they disqualified me because my friend sent the e-mail. He's not my agent."
Chris Lewallen, SGA president, said the Judicial Board's decision to disqualify Alahshi was "a little extreme," and he didn't think it was a big enough violation for the consequence.
"I feel sorry for Ahmad for having to go through this whole process and being really excited," he said. "I thought he could really make a difference for international students on campus."
Lewallen said he was excited to get started.
"I've been ready to get this underway for about three weeks now," he said. "The (BOG) is excited to take charge and make some progress for the students."
is a member of the 
4 comments
for a stupid reason which his friend who send the email, the justice will served when ahmad's roommate pay fine.