Pulse withdraws from KSU elections, accuses SDM of broken promises
07 April 2011 by Philip Leone Ganado
Student organisation Pulse yesterday declared that it will be boycotting the upcoming KSU elections, meaning that Moviment Liberali and SDM are now the only two teams remaining in the campaign.
Pulse had previously announced its intention to put forward a team of candidates for the April 14th elections, but in a press conference held yesterday in the quadrangle, they announced their intention to boycott both the AGM, which was taking place at the same time in Sir Temi Zammit Hall, and the elections themselves. Pulse has been campaigning in favour of the introduction of a system of proportional representation for the KSU executive board.
They argued that the “KSU Executive Board has become a partisan organisation manipulated to suit the political agenda of SDM” and that “the main reason behind this decision [to withdraw] is KSU’s broken promise that it would make an effort to establish a new electoral system that achieves the consensus of all parties involved.”
This is in reference to comments made by KSU president Carl Grech to The Times of Malta immediately after the 2010 elections, when he said: “As KSU we must now work hard to approach these students and find out what exactly their concerns were, so as to achieve consensus on whether and what change should be made to the current electoral system”.
Speaking to insiteronline.com, Pulse president Glenn Micallef reiterated his organisation’s position while stressing that, having failed to achieve consensus on electoral reform, it would have been irresponsible for Pulse to attend the AGM, pointing out the chaos that ensued when Pulse presented their proportional representation proposal during the infamous 2010 AGM. He firmly rejected suggestions that Pulse had been hypocritical in pushing for a reform of the system at University while accepting it at Junior College, making clear that their proposal called for the simultaneous introduction of the new system at both institutions. Junior College is a traditional stronghold for Pulse, where they have been represented in KSJC for a number of years.
Pulse’s withdrawal from the electoral race means that six of SDM’s candidates have been automatically elected to their respective offices, while Stefan Balzan, Mario Cachia, Ruth Caruana, Luke Butigieg, and Simon Mifsud will contest against Moviment Liberali’s five candidates for the posts of President, Secretary-General, Financial Officer, Education Coordinator, and Culture and Entertainment Officer respectively.
These posts are currently held by SDM’s Carl Grech, Karl Agius, Martina Galea, Roberta Rizzo, and Mario Cachia.
SDM president Stefan Balzan expressed his disappointment at Pulse’s actions, claiming that “it is this sort of behaviour that contributes to student apathy around campus” and accusing the social-democrat students of lacking a credible team and concrete proposals. Responding to questions regarding those SDM candidates that have been elected automatically, he denied suggestions that there has been any blow to their legitimacy, irrespective of Pulse’s claims or the lack of a full-blown election.
Meanwhile, ML president Mark Camilleri supported Pulse’s position but argued that their methods leave much to be desired, and far from bringing about change, merely minimise the opposition to SDM: “Even if the rules are flawed, one can’t opt out of the game. With that strategy one has even less chance of changing the system”.
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April 7th, 2011 at 9:14 pm
It’s not like SDM cares whether Pulse participates in the elections or not. All they care about is winning.
April 7th, 2011 at 9:26 pm
The pot calling the kettle black: Stefan Balzan referring to others as “non-credible”! Who is credible then?
Christian Democrats who are opposed to representative systems? A team of candidates who waste their time convincing other that stronger representation is detrimental?
Haha… it takes SDM members to be drunk in the streets of Paceville to admit that p. representation is by far the best established system used in electoral procedures around the world.
April 7th, 2011 at 9:44 pm
Had Stefan Balzan and SDM accepted that KSU needs a more democratic system, Pulse would have presented its manifesto full of concrete proposals for the common good of all students.
However SDM chickened out from the challenge of accepting a fairer and more democratic system, and was lost in playing time games before the AGM.
April 7th, 2011 at 10:31 pm
typical political stunt by pulse. They would gain much more credibility standing for elections and fighting for thei beliefs though the proper channels
April 7th, 2011 at 10:41 pm
SDM prefers power than student’s interest……
April 9th, 2011 at 11:54 am
Glenn, all it took was to present your proposal at the AGM and a vote would have been taken. But YOU chickened out. We like competition, and would preferred a proper election then just an ‘easy road to success’.
SDM MIEGHEK
April 9th, 2011 at 8:12 pm
Joe,
I was promised a consensus on a new electoral reform by Carl Grech. Pulse didn’t want a scenario similar to the one we had last year.
I believe that if a new system is to be introduced, this should be introduced by consensus and in agreement with all stakeholders. SDM has this year once again rejected a more democratic system (& now to make matters worse, for no reason whatsoever).
Looking forward to see an EP!C KSU,
Glenn
April 9th, 2011 at 8:28 pm
Dear Joe Zammit, instead of sdm mieghek! why don’t you write: An ep!c Ksu, ep!c team, ep!c ideas, ep!c AGM, Ep!c president who failed at the helm of SDM….and by any chance will his ep!c dj sets be available at the KSU office?
April 10th, 2011 at 5:04 pm
At Joe .. SDM “mieghek” .. Where the hell where last year’s KSU if they were really “mieghi”. Not once did they come to JC, apart from passing out some useless flyers.
April 11th, 2011 at 10:23 pm
Glenn. if you were such a brilliant alternative you would have presented an acceptable team with a concrete electoral program and some decent proposals.
Instead you stick to using electoral reform as an excuse to hide the fact that, the only team you can present for KSU elections, is a team made up of ex-KSJC hardcore Pulse members, and an English-speaking girl for appearances sake; with no background in student organizations, no concrete electoral program and not even some designated posts.
If you had some valid points to make, you would have stuck to such points and held your ground in a decent manner, but instead you resort to your cheap and base sarcastic comments which will only impress those with the IQ equivalent of a chimpanzee..
Keep it up !
April 12th, 2011 at 9:42 am
@rob,
Firstly, you WISH you had Sarah Haider’s credentials. Secondly, if that’s the case then I guess Sara Ellul isn’t a valid candidate either is she?
Come up with a better argument you indignant fool.
- Stephanie
April 12th, 2011 at 1:17 pm
First of all if SDM kept their promises and discusses the issue of a better voting system, and not coming with the excuse of how the votes will be counted then, Pulse would have contested the election and come forward with a proper manifest and not just listing things that are already happening on campus.
Moreover as far as I know, you want experience and what more experience can you have, other than being in KSJC, at least these candidates know how they can support both JC and university students as they were part of them. Regarding the “english speaking girl” who’s name is sarah haider, has been involved in pulse in the last 4 years, I guess she has some experience, doesn’t she…
You better think before you talk…and moreover before saying that pulse didn’t have a credible team, first you must analyse what potentials ur team has.. :p pffffff
April 15th, 2011 at 7:31 am
I’ve just got 3 words for this farce of a verbal sparring match:
You’re All Idiots.