Students’ Council 2020 by-election results

Two new councillors and five new GFC representatives were elected this by-election.

The fall by-election is a chance to fill vacant seats on both Students’ Council, the overseeing body of the Students’ Union, and General Faculties Council (GFC), the highest academic decision-making body at the University of Alberta.

Students voted on September 30 and October 1 with 5.1 per cent student turn out.

Students’ Council fills two of eight vacant positions

With the two newly elected councillors, Student’s council gained representation from the faculties of open studies and education, which previously had no councillors. Post by-election, Students’ Council still has six positions open.

OPEN STUDIES: Nolan Orvold

EDUCATION: Emily Motoska

Newly Elected GFC representatives

Newly elected GFC representatives include:

SCIENCE: Aadhavya Sivakumaran

NURSING: Simran Virk & Jennifer Fang

EDUCATION: Emily Motoska

BUSINESS: Yusuf Oliya

“Amazing turnout” to by-elections CRO said.

Muneeb Ahsan, the Students’ Union’s Chief Returning Officer (CRO), said the by-elections saw higher turnout compared to previous years. According to Ahsan, the 1723 votes cast this by-election exceeded the combined voter turnout of the 2018 and 2019 by-elections.

For Ahsan, higher voter turn out is indicative of more student interest in governance.

“It says a lot about how people want to be involved in student governance and make their voice heard,” he said. “Arguably the most successful by-elections in recent memory.”

A highly contested by-election, Ahsan said the race for science GFC representative had a single-digit vote gap until the fifth round.

With a peaked interest in student governance, Ahsan hopes students will continue to show up for the main election in winter semester.

“I would like to urge students to take part in the elections and take control over their own future,” he said. “March is around the corner and [the] UASU needs leaders more than ever before.”