The annual general meeting of the University Student Council (KSU) which was meant to discuss the electoral system for University student council elections got bogged down in technicalities this afternoon and was frequently interrupted by shouting and the trading of insults.
The meeting, meant to start at Noon was postponed until 12.35 for a quorum, however by 3.15 nothing conclusive had been reached - with disagreement even on the agenda.
Officials of SDM and Pulse - the rival political organisations, argued over the number of people going in and out of the room since a 50+1 majority was needed for for the agenda to be changed. There were various objections from both sides, with the room erupting into shouting every time the door was opened.
The burning issue in this meeting was meant to be the electoral reform proposed by Pulse which would mean there would be proportional representation in the student council.
As the electoral system stands, candidates from the students' group which gets the most votes gets elected en bloc, even if a particular candidate for a post gets more votes than the candidate in the team with wins most votes.
On Monday, Pulse submitted amendments for the KSU statute to implement a mixed-member proportional representative electoral system.
Members of Pulse and Graffiti later protested to the chair that efforts were being done to derail the debate on the electoral reform.
At about 3.30 pm, with no progress having been made, the Pulse representatives walked out in protest.
PULSE STATEMENT
Pulse in a statement said it was disappointed at what happened at the meeting.
"Democracy fell short as the AGM’s procedure was not duly followed. The AGM, as the highest organ within the KSU structure, failed to respect the KSU statute itself, which safeguards the decision of the students’ vote.
After considerable efforts to keep order, it became apparent that a mature discussion was unattainable. This forced Pulse representatives, amongst others, to abandon the meeting and withdraw their motion," the student organisation said.
It accused SDM of ridiculing the democratic rights of students.
"They prefer to spend five hours discussing if the AGM should commence or not, instead of discussing what truly affects the well-being of both the council and the student electorate."
On the other hand, Pulse goes further to question whether decisions taken in this AGM should stand to be recognised.
Pulse said it condemned all behaviour which was disrespectful and intolerant towards different opinions.
SDM REACTION
SDM in another statement said it condemned the hostile and insulting attitude of some members of Pulse, Graffitti and Move. This attitude, it said, which was neither moderate, nor progressive.
The SDM said Pulse had not achieved the required two-thirds majority needed to suspend the agenda so that its motion could be discussed. The sitting then had to be suspended because of rowdy behaviour by the members of Pulse and Graffitti, who expected to have the right to dictate what the Chair should do.