University election valid despite low turnout - KSU president

The re-elected president of the University Students' Council (KSU), Carl Grech, said today that the council was prepared to hold talks with students on the university electoral system.

The electoral system was one of the major controversies in the run-up to the election, held yesterday. The Christian Democrat Students were re-elected for the fourth time to form the council but only 1836 students voted out of a total student population of 13,000.

Mr Grech said that despite the low turnout, 'democracy had worked' and since there were no irregularities, the election was valid.

Stefan Balzan, SDM president said that the election result was clear proof that many students believed they should trust SDM.

PULSE REACTION

Student organisation Pulse said the elections turnout was less than 15% of those eligible, the lowest ever.

"This is a clear indication that the current first-past-the-post system is not being democratically effective enough and consequently it is limiting student participation and representation."

Pulse said it was surprised at SDM’s reaction on this year’s result, when 85% of the University student population did not bother to cast their vote under the current system.

"Pulse positively notes that it seems that now SDM, after the elections are over, seems to be willing to accept Pulse call to discuss the electoral reforms needed. In the coming period Pulse will further its campaign in favour of a Proportionally-Representative electoral system."