Campus elections now in the hands of student bodies

PETALING JAYA: Procedures for campus elections are to be revised to ensure the elections would be carried out in a transparent and independent manner by Student Representative Councils (MPP), without interference from their university’s management and authority.

A meeting between the Education Ministry’s Department of Higher Education, Student Affairs Office and law officers of public universities – chaired by the ministry’s Department of Higher Education director-general Datin Dr Siti Hamisah Tapsir – concluded that giving MPPs the freedom to carry out their respective campus elections would empower students to choose a right leader who would champion their rights and aspirations.

“However, the MPPs are still required to comply with the current constitution, rules and laws when carrying out their respective campus elections.

“The management of universities are to assist their respective MPPs by providing infrastructure and guidelines on the elections,” the ministry said in a statement issued yesterday.

The statement added that public institutions were allowed to postpone election dates to suit each university after making the necessary changes to rules and procedures to ensure open, transparent and fair elections.

“The ministry believes that giving autonomy to MPPs is beneficial and can encourage students to be proactive and responsible,” it said.

Campus elections have been conducted at all public universities every year to select student leaders.