Student Parliament Speaker 2017/2018, Anthony Martin Andrews. PHOTO: James Smith
Nineteen days since the nominations for the position of Speaker of Student Parliament 2018/2019 have opened, not a single person was nominated.
Elections will now be held early in the fourth term, as determined by section 6(b) of the Student Parliament Constitution.
“Nominations will be opened shortly where prospective candidates will have sufficient time to engage the process which will be executed in line with the applicable provisions of constitution,” says current Speaker, Anthony Martin Andrews in a statement on Wednesday.
The poster for the initial proposed election for Speaker of Student Parliament 2018/2019, which has been postponed until next term. PHOTO: Facebook
“I as Speaker have considered the outcome of the initial call for nominations and I identify it as a reflection of the work that still needs to be done,” Andrews says.
Andrews opened the nominations officially in an email sent to all students on Friday, 10 August. When, by Tuesday, 21 August, no applications were received, the scheduled election was postponed.
Andrews also says the Student Parliament Committee has already considered further means to engage the student community, “especially considering the developments of the Student Constitution and the evolving context of Student Representation at Stellenbosch University”.
He encouraged prospective candidates to read the Student Constitution, the Student Parliament Constitution and further applicable documents, because they “offer vital points to consider as to the requirements for the Office of Speaker/Chair, further portfolios candidates may wish to consider in the Student Parliament Committee and further expressions of Student Parliament”.
Parliament fulfills this mandate in the following ways:
- Make recommendations with regards to Policies and best practices
- Scrutinize and oversee Executive action
- Facilitate public participation and involvement in relevant processes
- Participate in, promote and oversee co-operative government
- Engage in and participate in international relations