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May 13, 2023
Can we truly exercise our democratic right in an unopposed election?
Integrity and fairness of the electoral process have been an emerging concern for the upcoming student election, citing that the candidates will once again run in various positions without opponents. Last year, the student elections were won by default, with the PULSO party emerging victorious due to the fact that the opposing party has not fielded any candidates. As a result, students have not been able to exercise their right to vote in a truly democratic process, and the concept of free and fair elections has been undermined.
The Progressive Union of Leaders in Service to Others (PULSO) Party was then a fierce opponent of the United Students Working for Advancement in Governance (USWAG) Party in the field of student politics at the university. They are the great rivals in the years passed by in convincing students to vote for their respective leaders to be elected as a member of the student council, collegiate and institutionally.
But then, in these two consecutive years, the political awakening of students seems to drastically fade due to the uncontested election process. The anticipation of debates, passionate campaigning, and electing a candidate that best represents their views suddenly vanished.
This is a concern, as suffrage is a fundamental right that should be respected and upheld in any democratic society. In an educational institution, such as the university, the election process should serve as a training ground for students to practice healthy and harmonious politics, which are essential skills for responsible citizenship.
However, the current situation with unopposed election says otherwise. It seems to suggest that it is acceptable to win by default and that political participation and engagement are not important. This is an unsettling precedent to set, as it could lead to a total lack of interest and participation in the democratic process in the long run.
The question that fronts as this election pushes through is that βwhat will happen to the credibility of the university in electing student leaders if it continues on the next consecutive years? β
Furthermore, winning by default may lead to complacency and lack of accountability on the part of the winning party. Without any opposition to keeping them in check, there is a risk that they may become too comfortable and neglect their duties and responsibilities to the student body.
Therefore, it is crucial that we address this issue and forbid this situation to happen in the next few years. One possible solution is to encourage more students to participate in the electoral process, whether by running for office or by supporting candidates who share their values and vision. To achieve a truly democratic election, all candidates must be encouraged and promoted to participate. USWAG and any other potential challengers must step up to the plate, and students must exercise their right to vote even if they choose to abstain.
The Student Electoral Board (SEB) should also strengthen their campaigning on the start of election season and that Piniliay should have a permanent date so students could instinctively anticipate the university-wide elections. We should also strive to create a culture of political engagement and active citizenship, where students feel empowered to make a difference and contribute to the community.
As has been demonstrated, unopposed elections are a threat to democracy and a hindrance to the development of healthy and harmonious politics in the institution. We must work together to address this issue and ensure that every student has the opportunity to exercise their right to suffrage in a fair and democratic process. Only then can we truly claim that we are building a community of responsible and engaged citizens who are committed to the common good.
