THE UST Central Commission on Elections (Comelec) on Thursday announced the postponement of this year’s central and local student council elections due to the coronavirus disease (Covid-19) pandemic.
In a resolution, the Central Comelec said holding “free, honest, and orderly” elections would be impossible amid the pandemic. Postponement is allowed under Article 1 Section 7 of the UST Student Election Code of 2011, it said.
Central Comelec Chairwoman Lauren Eunice Navales said elections would be held when face-to-face classes resume in the University.
To ensure continuity of the functions, responsibilities, and services of the student councils, non-graduating incumbent officers will become interim officers, while outgoing officers were told to ensure a smooth transition to their successors once they are elected.
CSC President Robert Gonzales said student representation was needed at this time and vowed to “keep the essence of why a student council exists.”
“[W]ith the recently released resolution by the UST Central Comelec, the UST-CSC Executive Board and Central Board will need to meet to address the future plans and transitioning mechanisms into this so-called new normal,” he told the Varsitarian.
The academic year officially ends on May 30.
