Voter turnout on the first day of elections, February 19, was low. Comelec Chief Commissioner Patricia Faye Malabanan (III BS Mgt) said, “Sobrang stressful and sobrang pressured [kami] kasi 23% lang [of the student population voted] nung first day (It’s really stressful and pressuring because only 23% of the student population voted on the first day),” Malabanan said.
Quota was met by 7:45pm on the second day, February 20. By 3pm of February 21, Comelec released the unofficial results of the elections.
Challenges
Candidates had limited time to campaign during the elections, and had to form coalitions in place of the parties.
“I was aware na (that) there were elections and there were these people who assumed themselves as candidates. Pero ang kinakatakot ko lang [ay] medyo kinulang sila sa oras (but my only fear is that they had limited time) [to campaign],” said Jose Antonio Lopez (II BS MIS).
Malabanan said Comelec experienced delays in the passing of responsibilities to the new officers. The deadline for filing of candidacies was also moved to accommodate more interested candidates, and to ensure a greater voter turn out—lessening the time for campaigning.
The choice to abstain
Yet most candidates were still unopposed despite the extension of candidacy filing. “It’s sad to see that the political body has come to this point…This also shows a negative side of Ateneans. Only these people [heeded] the call of leadership,” said Grazielle Anne Laxa (II BS Mgt).
“It’s shameful that we are limited to such a small number of candidates. I’m not undermining these individuals and their abilities, but I do wish there were more candidates that show more promise,” said Luis Lorenzo Santos (III AB Psy).
Marc Darren Wu (I BFA ID) said, however, that students still had a choice despite the scarcity of candidates. “They still have the choice to abstain if they don’t like the people so that’s okay.”
Laxa, Santos, and Wu were all interviewed before the elections.
Party-less elections
Promotion of candidates and the elections was easier when there were parties, said Malabanan. “Before, since Ibig-Agila and Partido Ignacio were present, they were in charge of the promotions of their own candidates. This year, however, most of the campaigning was shouldered by the Comelec,” she said in a mix of English and Filipino.
Mary Cyril Anne Belarmino (III AB Comm), however, said that the removal of parties had minimal effect.
“I don’t think [the lack of parties] had that great of an effect [on] the elections. The same people ran under the coalitions, it’s just that they removed the party name,” she said in a mix of English and Filipino.
As of press time, the winning candidates have been inducted in a ceremony at the RedBrick Road, February 28. For the list of the new Sanggunian officers, visit http:/blueballot09.theguidon.com.
