University
Comelec braces for 2017 student polls, eyes U-wide voter’s forum
The accreditation of political parties started as early as Sept. 5, marking the opening of the election period. Students have until Nov. 29 to establish parties.
The AUL-Comelec starts early with the preparations for the upcoming synchronized Supreme Student Council (SSC) and College Student Council (CSC) Elections set on Feb. 13–14 next year.
The student electoral body has a new appointed chair in PolSci senior, Jane Kirsty Jazmin, succeeding Patrick Joseph Estillomo, whose term proposed and introduced electoral amendments last school year, particularly the extension of the voting period to two days, breaking a two-year streak on electoral failure.
The accreditation of political parties started as early as Sept. 5 marking the opening of the election period. Students have until Nov. 29 to establish parties. “We feel like that’s more than enough time for student leaders to form political parties and have an official slate before this year ends,” said Jazmin. She also told Aquinian Herald that the resolution for an earlier opening of the accreditation period was because Comelec wants to make sure that the election will be multi-party and not unopposed as with the case of the previous years.
Meanwhile, Comelec is planning a University-wide voter’s education forum to further the information campaign regarding the rules and guidelines to be observed on the the campaign period and election days. It is set sometime between Nov. 2016 and Jan. 2017.
Jazmin said “students are not that aware about how crucial the election is and they ignore its significance, and so we want to work on that,” when asked about the rationale behind initiating a wider effort on voter’s education. With a historic 86% poll turnout last election, the Comelec now wants to shift its focus on educating students about the elections and its importance to them. (READ: SC polls draw historic turnout)
“I’d like to ask the Aquinians to participate and cooperate in the coming elections. It is my hope that Comelec will attain its goals and that it will be a clean and honest election,” Jazmin added.
The filing of the COCs or certificate of candidacy will start on Nov. 7–25, with be the announcement of the official candidates slated on Dec. 2. According to Jazmin, the early announcement of candidates will “give the candidates ample amount of time to strategize their campaign and prepare for the miting de avance.”
The month-long campaign period will start on Jan. 9 until 31. The Comelec and the Office of Student Services also maintains the prohibition of using social media during the campaign. Two weeks before election day, the Miting de Avance will be held on Feb. 1 at the AUL Dome. ■ By Denmarc Joshua Betonio / With reports by ACB, J.K. Jazmin
