Jazztin Antonii Acedillo 
The essence of an election is rooted in the voters’ ability to choose leaders who represent them most and hold them accountable. An election with only one party running can hardly be called an election at all.
Samar State University Commission on Elections (SSU COMELEC) posted the list of qualified candidates for the University Student Council (USC) Elections 2024 last October 11. The council is composed of the President, Vice-President, and twenty-five representatives to be elected at large. The post, however, surprisingly revealed only six candidates under one party list aiming for seats at the student council. During the Miting de Avance, it was mentioned by the vice presidential aspirant that there were originally twelve candidates under the lone party, but they were not able to push through with their candidacy due to “conflicts.”
In most cases, an election usually involves several partylists and multiple candidates running for office, each with their own platforms and vision of leadership. This gives the voters the crucial task of scrutinizing each and every candidate and their platforms to ultimately decide whom to cast their vote for. However, with only one party running for office, the whole election process is rendered meaningless and appears as more of a formality.
As a democratic society, our power lies with the people. We get to choose how we are governed, either directly or through our elected representatives. Suffrage, or the right to vote, is the very essence of what makes a society democratic. This right gives us the means to exercise our power and participate in the electoral process. The lack of competition and choice in this year’s USC Elections can lead to several problems and is in no way healthy when it comes to nurturing students to be engaged, informed, and active members of society.
The presence of competition is an integral piece of any election. It promotes further engagement and participation. It breeds an environment where ideologies and visions clash encouraging voters to critically assess the issues at play and the platforms being proposed. The lack of voter choice this year may lead to apathy and a decline in voter turnout since the democratic process of choosing does not exist, and voters feel like they do not have a say in the matter.
The lack of political competition makes it harder to hold those in positions of power accountable for their actions, since there are no opposing views. This leads to complacency and even innovative stagnation. In a political environment where ideologies and visions remain uncontested, a monopoly of power occurs, and decision making becomes centralized. This may eventually lead to a disconnect between the elected body and the student population’s interests due to a severe lack of representation. A single individual running for a position of power cannot possibly understand the plights of each and every group simply because of how diverse these groups are, hence the importance of political representation, suffrage, and belief that our choices actually matter.
The USC Elections, held annually at the start of every academic year, is a significant event for students, as we are the primary stakeholders of the university. This election determines not only who we put in positions of power but ultimately how we, as the student body, are represented in the decision-making process of university policies which affect our social and academic lives. Therefore, we should treat it as a critical juncture to vote on candidates who resonate with our values. Our voices matter, and our votes should go to candidates we connect to and make us feel heard and well represented. As a university with students hailing from various backgrounds each having their own opinions and priorities, the lack of political choices and student engagement can lead to a disconnect between the elected body and the student population’s needs, weakening our position as a student body when it comes to being involved in critical issues that shape the university’s direction.
With twenty-seven seats in the university student council, having only six candidates running for positions is very concerning. Now, while positions of leadership are not meant for everyone, the power to choose who represents us is something everyone should have. But with the lack of political choices and representation in this year’s election, getting informed, getting involved, and choosing to have the courage to step up and run for a position to represent and serve the students in future elections is surely a step toward the right direction.
