Andrew Ibrahim decided to run for a seat on ASMSU because he wanted to make a difference.

With possible university cuts and a tuition increase, the no-preference sophomore said he wanted to be a part of MSU's undergraduate student government so he could have a say in what goes on with the university.

But Ibrahim might not get to represent the University Undergraduate Division because he, along with 44 other students - out of 60 applications plus write-ins - was disqualified from the election after being endorsed by political organizations on campus.

"It was a great shock," he said. "I'm extremely disappointed."

Ibrahim said he was not aware of the endorsement until he was informed of his disqualification.

According to the ASMSU elections code, "Any campaign material bearing the name of a candidate must be approved and submitted to the AUEC (All-University Elections Committee) in writing before distribution."

The MSU College Republicans and the MSU College Democrats maintain they did not violate this code when they endorsed various candidates in the election.

Both groups plan on appealing the decision.

Officials for the MSU College Republicans said they sent out e-mails within their organization, sent out on-campus mailings and handed out fliers and stickers at various campus locations.

Officials for the MSU College Democrats said they only sent out e-mails within their organization.

Jason Miller, president of MSU College Republicans and a State News columnist, and Nate Engle, president of the MSU College Democrats, said no one who was endorsed by their groups authorized the endorsement.

"We simply identified people who would do a good job," Miller said. "We'd like to see the disqualification for all the candidates dropped."

Miller said the election code does not say another group's endorsement could result in the disqualification of a candidate, adding his group endorsed people who would not support tuition increases.

Engle would not say on what basis the candidates were chosen but said they were endorsed by the MSU College Democrats because, "they were the strongest candidates."

Nick McVay, chairman for the elections committee said the committee was just following the guidelines outlined in the code.

"It was just our job," he said. "I hope as many people appeal as possible," he said. "I'm a part of ASMSU; I want as many people as possible to be a part (of the organization)."

McVay said both groups were implicated because e-mails addressing their endorsements were presented to the election committee.

Both assemblies of ASMSU were affected equally by the disqualification, McVay said.

Students who were disqualified have until 5 p.m. today to turn in an appeal.

The university judiciary board will decide whether or not a violation of the elections code occurred.

McVay said the election code guidelines are handed out to candidates when they picked up an election petition. Other copies of the code were also available at ASMSU's business office to anyone who requested one.

But Matt Clayson, Academic Assembly chairperson, said the political organizations broke the rules of the code.

"It's not fair of the political organizations to put the reps in that position," he said. "Unfortunately, they're paying none of the price."

Clayson said nothing like this has ever occurred, and hopefully it would not happen again.

"I'd rather see ASMSU disband than become a political puppet," he said.