By Mark Vincent A. Durano

Far Eastern University (FEU) Commission on Elections (COMELEC) reported multiple cases of electoral failures due to low voter turnout in the Institute Student Council (SC) Elections during the proclamation of winners at the FEU Grandstand earlier today, April 23.

According to Section 6 Article IX of the Omnibus Election Code, a failure of election will be declared when the voter turnout is less than 20 percent of the voting population and no other candidate was elected.

No aspirants from Institute of Architecture and Fine Arts and Institute of Education SC candidates were elected after garnering 18.2 and 18.47 percent of votes, respectively.

Additionally, Institute of Health Sciences and Nursing SC Secretary and Institute of Tourism and Hotel Management SC Vice President positions received failure of elections due to undisclosed pending cases. 

In an interview with FEU Advocate, COMELEC Chairperson Wayne Winter Uyseco said they will have a post-event discussion with political parties regarding this year’s elections. 

“Coming from the last year’s results, we expected it to be somewhat the same. But given the different circumstances that happened this year, I didn’t expect it to be happening then. So I don’t know what will happen next year. We’re still going to meet with the different political parties and discuss—we’re going to have a post-event discussion and from those discussions we will be recommending to the next set of political party chairs and of course COMELEC as well kung ano ‘yung gagawin (what to do) moving forward,” he stated.

The voter turnout sloped down this year counting only 36.46 percent or 8,063 out of 22,115 voters compared to last term’s 44.79 percent or 10,576 out of 23,615 voters.

Christmer Roland Ordanes from Isanliyab Servant Leaders’ Union was elected as the 89th FEU Central Student Organization president.

(Photo by Euxim Valonzo-Garcia/FEU Advocate)