UG students vote in UGSS elections

The University of Guyana Student Society (UGSS) presidential election on Wednesday saw a lacklustre turnout, as many students claimed that they were not aware of the election date.

At the University’s Turkeyen Campus on Wednesday afternoon, several polling booths were empty, but polling staff were optimistic that students would have turned up to cast their ballots later in the day.

However, when a few students were questioned about the voting process, many indicated an unwillingness to vote, and some did not even realise that elections were being held.

Incumbent President Ron Glasgow and International Relations student Brian Smith were the only two candidates in the presidential race. Both of them expressed hope that they would be given the opportunity to implement their vision for the improvement of campus life so that the 8000-plus students can boast of having an encompassing university experience.

UGSS representative Nasheena Ramlall, who was standing outside a polling booth at the Faculty of Natural Sciences, walked this publication through the voting process.  She explained that students voted in booths at their respective faculties by selecting their choice of candidate, whose names are listed in alphabetical order on the ballot. Ramlall further explained that two sets of votes were cast: one for UGSS representatives and the other for President. Then, the right index finger of students who voted is inked, reminiscent of major elections in Guyana.

When asked what changes she is expecting UG to undergo, Ramlall, who has several courses in the George Walcott Lecture Theatre, noted that the Public Address system, microphones and fans all needed changing.

Several other students who cast their ballots told Guyana Times of the changes they hoped to see after the election. Third-year Economics student Dequan Lewis said he expected the UGSS to modify how it spent its allocation.  He called for “accountability and more student advocacy on campus and better recreational facilities”.

Law student Cassandra Forde was hopeful that the University’s infrastructure would be improved, relating that her department lacked basic facilities such as lights and properly functioning washroom facilities.

“The main concern is the infrastructure, because we are paying facility fees and in my [room] we don’t even have electricity. How is it that you could have a classroom [at] a University with no electricity and you’re paying $50,000 facility fees?” Forde lamented.

She noted that garbage disposal was also a major issue on the Turkeyen Campus.  The Law student, like many other students interviewed, explained that despite the towering challenges that surround life at the University, education delivery was “up to par”.