The students have spoken

This years annual autumn elections received an incredible turnout this week, seeing a 13% increase in ballots cast from last year.

The 1233 students that voted in the election represent that largest turnout of any year so far, though they still only equate to just 10% of Leicester’s total student population.

This years election saw over a hundred candidates compete for positions than there have ever been. New positions on the council include:

• Disabled Students’ officer.

• Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic officer (BAME).

• Women’s Officer.

These positions ensure that people from typically underrepresented groups are able get their voices and opinions heard.

Engagement officer, Sean Kelly Walsh, commented on the impressive candidate dedication saying: “It was refreshing to see so many campaigners out and about, talking to students about what matters to them.”

To some students the incessant flyering during the two day long elections is an annoyance but the people that are elected do influence the decisions made by the council. They listen to your opinion and put it forward at meetings to try and benefit Leicester University’s students.

Newly elected Union Council member, Aaron Elcock, was pleasantly surprised by the large number of students that voted. He said: “It was great to get a chance to talk to so many like-minded people on the days of the election. It was also good to see a healthy balance of male and female members on the council, the quota for the council was a great idea.”

Such a strong turnout is good news for the union parliament which has come under fire before for its lack of representation. This latest election shows that students of Leicester are interested in their Union and the right people being elected.

Perhaps the increased turnout is a result of students realising that their Students’ Union is one of the best in the country, having won numerous awards over the summer months and at the end of the last academic year.

Full listings of the election results can be found here.