STUDENTS are fully capable of taking the lead and carrying out campus elections without the involvement of their university’s administration.
And this has been proven during the Universiti Malaya (UM) campus election recently. The proceedings made history as it was the first time in more than 50 years that a campus election had been wholly and independently run by students.
The electoral process was organised by the Campus Election Committee (CEC) 2019, which comprised 19 student leaders from various backgrounds and fields of study.
They were given the mandate by UM’s vice-chancellor in November last year to reform campus election rules and carry out the polls with full autonomy.
CEC president Vanessa Eunice Scully, a final year law student, said the main reason behind the CEC’s establishment is to encourage students to engage in democracy ― empowering them to lead and take responsibility ― as well as advocating a healthy competition in campaigning.
“Besides the operational aspects, we also looked into the students’ concerns and opinions in past elections in drafting new rules for the current election,” she said.
This year, the election was carried out in the second semester instead of the first, which is the norm in public universities.
This is because the committee feels that the freshmen are not yet familiar with the university environment and their student leaders.
The newly-elected leaders will serve from the second semester of the 2018/2019 academic year to the first semester of the following academic year (2019/2020).
“We have made effort to ensure that the electoral rules and regulations are properly amended. Most improvisations have been carried out to benefit students, who planned to participate in the campus elections,” said Vanessa.
VIBRANT CAMPAIGN TRAIL
For the first time, this year’s election allowed the formation of coalitions to contest under a common logo. Therefore, candidates and parties could work together in contesting the seats.
This amendment to allow the formation of coalitions was aimed at facilitating the generation of ideas and healthy democracy practices.
The seven-day campaigning period, according to Vanessa, was sufficient for the university’s five parties to present their manifestos and introduce candidates.
The parties were Suara Siswa (a coalition of Demokrat UM, Angkatan Mahasiswa and UM Association of New Youth), Penggerak Mahasiswa, Pewaris, Mahasiswa Harmoni and Neo-Siswa UM.
Suara Siswa campaign manager and strategist Isaiah Majinbon said the coalition had a discussion with its party leaders on how best to contest the election.
“Prior to the polling day, we had to synchronise our schedules and check each faculty and residential colleges on the best time and place to start our campaigns.
“With classes and other activities during daytime, the best time to engage all the students was at night. Bringing our banners and flyers, we spoke to our peers.
“Our selling point was more on a liberal narrative to tell them that we have a diverse front of candidates that is inclusive of all races, including from Sabah and Sarawak. We really wanted to portray ourselves as one Malaysia representing all students in the campus,” said Majinbon.
He said the coalition’s platform was divided into the physical front (whereby candidates met students in person) and social media, such as Facebook and Instagram.
“We realised the importance of campaigning via social media, and in UM itself, the No.1 platform is Facebook.
“Even though there was a lot of cyber-bullying that touched on race and religion, our election machinery fought on. It was just incredibly fraught with arguments to begin with,” he said.
The components of Suara Siswa go a long way back, where they shared similar agendas like the abolishment of the Universities and University Colleges Act 1971 (Auku 1971).
Majinbon said this year’s campaign trail was fair game and he gave his utmost respect to the CEC for creating a level playing field for all.
And most importantly, he said the election was transparent and peaceful.
Neo-Siswa Universiti Malaya sought to promote its idea of refinement and purification of student image through a true Islamic identity.
Its president, Mohamad Syafiq Mohd Adabi, said Neo-Siswa aimed to impart Islamic traditions and knowledge to students, thus moulding them into a character called #MahasiswaHibrid.
“#MahasiswaHibrid are students who can master knowledge, excel in academic performance, portray good morals and attitude, and can lead and cultivate a knowledgeable society.
“For example, it empowers students intellectually by emphasising outstanding performance in their studies. We also stress on approaching issues with facts and not perception, with rational solutions and not emotions, and with professionalism in work and delivery,” said Syafiq.
Neo-Siswa contested in five general and three faculty seats in the Academy of Islamic Studies and Faculty of Science.
He said their campaign trail covered the faculties and residential colleges every day.
“What we did was to set up a ‘speaking corner’ to explain our manifesto and distribute flyers to introduce our candidates.
“We canvassed around the university twice,” he said, adding that they also pitched their cause on social media.
Penggerak Mahasiswa contested in three general and 15 faculty seats, with a manifesto to establish a student parliament and bank.
Leader Syafiq Anwar said the party was all about taking care of the students’ welfare.
“Our approach was mainly through social media, such as Facebook and Instagram, in which we saw the potential to reach a mass audience.
“Using social media as a platform to create awareness is one of the best methods. For example, when we upload each posting, students will be able to share our information on their own accounts to get more views.”
DAY OF RECKONING
The atmosphere was calm and peaceful on polling day. The polling centres were opened from 9am to 5pm. At 2pm, Education Minister Dr Maszlee Malik dropped by at the centre in the Faculty of Arts and Social Science.
Overall, 61.2 per cent of 13,671 eligible students turned up to cast their votes.
Voting was done on paper ballots as opposed to e-voting in previous years. The reason for switching to paper was because the committee realised that the e-voting system was susceptible to hacking and tampering.
There were 54 polling and counting agents, all students themselves. The CEC secretariat were also seen at faculties to facilitate the process.
Vanessa said the students usually came to vote in between classes.
A three-cornered fight at the Faculty of Arts and Social Science caused the students to spare a thought in carefully selecting their leader ― someone who is not only articulate but can walk the talk.
On polling day, Muhammad Danial Dasris, 22, a Penggerak Mahasiswa candidate for Faculty of Arts & Social Science seat, said he was nervous and anxious as this was his first time contesting in a campus election.
But he had to put up a brave front to carry his and his party’s name for a better future.
The second-year anthropology-sociology student said his party had many agendas, but it was more focused on academics and students’ welfare.
“I have been interested to stand in the campus election since my first-year in university. Frankly speaking, this electoral process has been quite a journey, especially when it is the first time being run by students.
“We had freedom of speech during the one-week campaign as long as we follow the rules and regulations set by CEC.
“I say this is a good platform for us, the students, to voice our opinion to improve the culture and practices at the university,” said Danial.
He added that the similarity of the balloting process with the country’s general election had created a sense of pride and patriotism in him.
Suara Siswa candidate for the general seat at the Faculty of Arts & Social Science Freddie Wong Ching Chen, 21, who is pursuing his degree in Chinese studies, said he wanted to bring changes to the university.
Wong said issues like not enough buses, high registration costs and expensive tuition fees are still the main problems faced by the students.
“I am willing to stand up and bring new agendas to ensure that the students get their justice from the university’s administration.
“The party and I are fighting for equal partnership in the university community, and competency, accountability and transparency in our manifesto,” said Wong.
Brevin Kumar, 22, a third year Bachelor of Drama undergraduate, hoped the elected candidates would do their best to fulfil their manifestos.
“With five parties competing with different manifestos, it was important to choose those who represent their manifestos and parties well.
“By voting the right candidate and party, that would determine the betterment of campus life. They are our voices at the university,” he said.
Fourth-year economics undergraduate Aali Hatta, 23, has been a campus voter for all his student years. He believes this year’s election is more transparent.
“When I casted my votes, I felt confident than previous years because this time, the balloting process did not allow third parties to trace the voters.
“I hope that my votes would somehow contribute to the betterment of the university’s future. If you want to elect good leaders, then speak out because every vote matters,” said Aali.
He also praised the CEC for its excellent work and hoped that it would learn from this experience to improve future elections.
“The turnout rates were poor. It did not exceed 70 per cent, maybe due to lack of publicity.
“The CEC should get some financial aid from the authority (university administration) to place banners at every faculty so that students know where to vote,” he said.
THE CHOSEN ONES
While the casting of votes ended at 5pm, it was 12 hours later when the results were finalised.
Vanessa said a bout of recounting had occurred, prompted by a request from a party―indicating that democracy was fully exercised in the process.
At the end of the day, two seats at the Faculty of Language and Linguistics, and the UM Sports Centre were vacant as there were no candidates. The CEC said the situation would be resolved through by-elections in 14 days.
Suara Siswa won big by taking all eight general seats, as well as 15 of the 32 faculty seats it contested.
Its priority now is to form the new student council and get to work in fulfilling its promises.
President-elect Mohd Akmal Hazieq Ahmad Rumaizi, a third year Bachelor of Counselling student from the Faculty of Education, said the coalition would work on the three pillars of its manifesto ― students as equal partners in the university; competent, accountable and transparency governance within the university; and freedom of association for students in campus.
He said Suara Siswa was not affiliated with the UM administration or any political parties outside.
“Suara Siswa’s priority is student welfare and it hopes to keep the varsity administration and, inadvertently, the government in check,” he said.
UM deputy vice-chancellor (student affairs and alumni) Professor Dr Abdul Aziz Abdul Raman praised the students for successfully carrying out the electoral process.
“It is an excellent experience for the students and I am very proud of every one who turned up.”
He said there was a need to raise awareness and improve logistics if voter turnout was to be increased.
Vanessa said her team had gone through a feedback session on what they learned.
“The audit committee has given us feedback and compliments. There are improvements that can be worked on, which we will bring up to the next committee.
“As the first committee, we will propose the mechanism through which the next board will be selected ― either by appointment or election,” she said.
She hoped that the historic event in UM would prompt students in other universities to follow suit.
“I want to tell those in other universities to have confidence in yourselves and not put a limitation to your ability just because you are students.
“As UM students, we have proven ourselves by running an election of our own. We urge students of other universities to stand up and form their own unions,” she said.
Aziz said the good practices learned in UM would be shared with other universities.
“The whole idea is to expand the concept of democracy and empower students to be credible and responsible citizens.
“Of course, each university has its own colour, but the whole philosophy behind student-run elections will gain traction with students in other universities,” he said.