Updated: SDM win KSU election

(Adds Pulse reaction)

SDM have retained control of the KSU University Students' Council, winning 1,668 votes in the election held yesterday.

The votes were counted at the University overnight, wih the result being announced shortly before 4 a.m. to celebrations by a small crowd of students.

Left-leaning Pulse got 1,400 votes and there were 709 mixed votes and 35 which were invalid.

The number of votes cast was higher than in recent elections, at 3,812, or 30.5% of the eligible voters - which include the Junior College, students at Mater Dei, Bighi institute and in Gozo.The ballot box from Gozo was empty, with no one having voted. Turnout at the last election was 22%.

No details on the individual votes were available, but SDM are believed to have elected all of their 11 candidates. Mario Cachia is expected to be president.

The electoral campaigns focused on a number of issues, including calls for quicker exam results, better parking facilities, transport, an improved environment and cultural events on campus.

PULSE REACTION

Pulse said it was satisfied with the outcome of the elections, the main reason being the positive increase in the students voting turnout.

Participation in these students’ elections, it noted, rose from 14% in 2011 to 30% in 2012, with a record number of votes cast at the University, Junior College and Mater Dei Hospital.

Pulse said that although it did not win this year’s elections, it made major voting gains when compared to past performances.

Taking into consideration the overwhelming increase in participation, the results reflected the smallest gap ever registered between Pulse and SDM in University elections.

It said that the 700 mixed votes confirmed the fact that many students did not trust diversity and that the system might an overhaul to become more effective.

"The system has been denying SDM a minor representation in the Junior College Council for the last five years, as well as proper representation of nearly half the students who chose Pulse in this year’s KSU elections.

"Both electoral campaigns have involved the students, their feedback and their proposals. Whilst congratulating the winning team, Pulse hopes that the interest and commitment expressed during the campaigns would endure the whole year and not just the election period."