Ivan Alexei Ampiah has been elected Cambridge Union president for Michaelmas 2025 after beating opponent Christopher Lorde by 21 votes.

Alexei Ampiah, the serving speakers officer, won 128 votes to Lorde’s 107. Seven members voted to re-open nominations.

The president-elect’s campaign centred around accessibility and “a revitalised socials programme,” promising “a broader selection of events” and to “boost scholarships and welfare visibility” at the Union. Lorde, the serving equalities officer, campaigned to engage “with societies across Cambridge,” also pledging to expand “scholarship and bursary programs” and to bring “more variety to events”.

Speaking on his victory, Alexei Ampiah told Varsity: “Today would not have been possible without the broad coalition of support we received from political societies, minority student bodies and many members who cast their ballot for the first time ever for our campaign.”

“Whilst today we are celebrating, I’m also gearing myself for days ahead where myself and the Michaelmas Standing Team begin the good work of delivering for members particularly on increased accessibility and variety in our term cards. We are glad to bring to life our strategic plans for the Union’s next chapter,” he continued.

The race was only the second contested presidency since the ballot rigging scandal in 2023, when then-president Max Ghose resigned after being accused of “astonishing acts of electoral malpractice”. This race has also seen the highest number of contested elections since the scandal, with eight candidates competing for five positions on the Union’s standing committee.

Orla Hunt won the race for speakers officer, beating rival candidate Pollyanna Greene-Wright by 47 votes. Hunt’s platform focused on “securing top-tier speakers,” and promised a “term card of diverse voices that reflect today’s political and social climate,” while Greene-Wright pledged to increase “the variety of sectors” the Union invites speakers from.

The role of social events officer was also contested in a race that saw Joanne Yau defeat Jasper Burnside by just nine votes. Yau campaigned to bring “a diverse range of events that emphasise multiculturalism, freedom of expression through artistic channels and creative autonomy” to the Union. Her opponent Burnside promised to “keep ticket prices low” and “organise relaxed hangouts alongside formal events”.

The other two races were uncontested, with Ben Davison winning the role of debates officer and Isaac James winning the role of equalities officer.

253 ballots were cast for a total of 1254 votes, with 119 votes being spoiled.