It’s election time, and I know many will promise us the world just to get our votes…again.

On December 12, 2022, EVSU students from the main campus cast their ballots to choose their preferred candidates in the 2022 Supreme Student Government (SSG) elections. This marks the return of onsite elections after they were previously conducted online. It is to be noted that in the last election, some positions had a sole candidate. While this may seem unusual compared to our usual voting process, the election proceeded, declaring these sole candidates as the winners. Nearly a year and four months have passed since the previous voting process, and the Supreme Student Government will once again be vacant and open to selecting new aspirants to become the next student leaders of the university.

This time, eyes are back again on the student body as a critical player of this year’s elections. However, the fact that the last election saw a decline in participation for some positions concerns me, as it limits the options available to the student body. In my perspective, declining alternatives such as low participation in some positions in the student council during an election might deprive student voters of their right to vote based on their varied needs and views. It’s disheartening that in a time when we aim to empower and amplify student voices, limiting their options in elections could lead to a misalignment of goals and interests. With fewer choices, there’s a higher chance that the diverse perspectives and needs of the student body won’t be adequately represented, potentially hindering their ability to advocate for the issues that matter most to them.

It is a good thing that the Student Affairs and Services Office (SASO) of the Main Campus extended the filing of the Certificate of Candidacy (COC) until Wednesday, April 17. This gives more time to aspiring student leaders to serve the student body at the university. I am for the extension of filing since this will result in having more candidates or applicants for the positions in the council, meaning this will guarantee that there is a high chance of diverse minds, views, goals, and interests, resulting in a more inclusive and representative student government.

Let’s all be critical at this time of election. Beyond simply casting a vote, let’s thoroughly evaluate candidates’ platforms, policies, and track records. As John Lewis said, “The vote is precious. It’s almost sacred, so go out and vote like you never voted before.” I urge all of you to fully engage in this democratic process that will happen at the university.

I sincerely hope that the upcoming Supreme Student Government election will not only be clean but also truly fun, with candidates focused on promoting the best interests of all students at EVSU. To all of you, I urge you to exercise your rights, vote, and help select the candidates who will best serve our university community. Your participation is vital in shaping the future of our institution, so let’s make our voices heard and choose wisely.