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| Student anger at by-election chaos | Send to a friend |
| Written by Alicia Roberts | |||||
| Monday, 27 October 2008 15:36 | |||||
Just 2.5 per cent of students voted in the Kingston University Student Union by-elections on Tuesday, River Online can reveal.Of the approximately 19,981 students at Kingston, just 494 students took part in the by-elections, held every October to choose part-time union officers to represent various factions of the student body. Students at Penrhyn Road expressed concern that they had not been aware of the event. Environmental Science student Zahra Akram said: “I've only seen one tiny poster advertising the by-elections, and that was on the day it happened. It seemed pointless voting when I hadn't had the chance to research the candidates.” Ballot boxes were located in each of the four KU campuses. This year there were eight Officer positions available, including campus site reps, mature students rep and Unity Officer. Third year Criminology and Sociology student Joanna Fraser, who has been named Women's Officer, said that the Union could be held partly responsible for not publicising the event properly, but also emphasised that some of the blame must be placed with students. She said students “need to realise that the individuals running in elections are potentially their voice. If you don't vote then how can you complain when the University or the Union is being run in a way you don't agree with.” All but two of the positions were contested by more than one candidate. The NUS places great importance on student democracy, and their website stresses that voting and standing in student union elections is the only vehicle for change. Incoming international student officer, Robin Bachor, was uncritical of the Union and believes the responsibility for promoting the by-elections lies with students themselves. He said “I am the one promoting myself and trying to win the race, not the Student's Union. They are here to guide me, and to see my strategical and political abilities.” However he recommended the use of political debates between candidates in the future to boost voter turnout and get students interested. Results from 2008 Elections:
RAG Officer: Kayleigh Pickering Unity Officer: La'Vern Williams Women's Officer: Joanna Fraser International Students Rep: Robin Bachor Nursing Students Rep: Therese – Marie Ogeyi Mature Students Rep: Daniel Wakely Roehampton Vale site Rep: Irene Kawani
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