Issue 154

Time to lead

12th March 2007

It's that time of year again, and the candidates for six Sabbatical seats are already campaigning hard.

At the close of nominations on 15 February, 30 students were on the ballot, more than in any previous year.

Voting takes place on Wednesday 14 March at Hendrefoilan, and Thursday 15 March on campus. Polls are open at Henrefoilan between 1 and 7 pm, and on campus between 9.30am and close at 7pm.

The count will take place immediately after the close of ballots, with the results expected to be announced in DV8 during the early hours of Friday 16 March.

The election will be run according to the Alternative Vote electoral system, meaning that voters must rank their preferred candidates in each race according to preference.

Students must indicate a preference for their candidates, and can rank each candidate on the ballot paper.

If no candidate has 50%, plus one, votes after the first round, the lowest ranking candidate is knocked out. The second preferences on those ballots are added to the tally's from the first round. If there is no overall winner, the last candidate is again removed, and third preference votes are counted. The process is repeated till a majority candidate emerges.

Competition is fierce this year, with seven candidates running for President, six for Welfare, five each for International, Women's and Treasurer, while two candidates go head to head in the race to be Education Officer.

Candidates will be spending the week talking to students and explaining their policies - manifesto's over the page - in an effort to win votes.

A hustings session will be taking place on Monday 12 March in DV8 between 12 and 4. This Question Time will allow students to question each of the candidates on their policies and manifesto pledges.

The outgoing treasurer, Owen Morris says that "campaigning is all about getting out there and talking face to face to the student body.

"It's important for voters to realise that nice people don't necessarily make the best sabbs, so understanding manifesto commitments is important."

Miles Goodman, who's stepping down as Welfare Officer following the campaigns, comments that "campaign week is one which candidates and their campaigners will never forget. Ups, downs, peaks, troughs, stresses and strains.

"Extremes of emotion will be felt at some point during the week, but from personal experience it is nonetheless one of the best weeks of my life and win or lose it is something that everyone should experience whilst at Uni"

Andrew Gwilym