This is my first year at Newcastle as a student, and I was luckily dropped right in the middle of it all. Not only did I get to see the whole process up close, but I was hosting for it too! (Yes, that is a shameless plug to get everyone to watch me host the Election rally and Results Night on NUTV).
This year, we had 52 candidates running for 12 positions! We observed a voter turnout of 4774, which was 1000 more individual voters than last year! The competition was very fierce, with some very highly qualified candidates, including our previous year’s Sabbatical officers, running for current roles. The election week was characterised by catchy Instagram campaigns, ground level lobbying, along with eye-catching costumes and sweet treats being handed out as freebies.
All candidates were out pushing for their individual pledges, some of which are much needed in the university, along with trying to rally support during the Elections Rally, but only a few came out on top. Starting with the SABBs, we got to see some fresh new faces take the top positions in the Student Union. Ilsa Hartley ran a massive campaign and was elected as SU President! Gina Tindale, who quickly became known for her interactive Squid Games-esque campaign, took the position of Academic Officer, followed by Lily Allan, who championed her massive competition of 12 candidates to become the new Wellbeing and Communities Officer.
Alex Duggan got 2 out of 2 wins by once again becoming the Sport Officer of the SU, along with beloved newcomer James Geary, who charmed everyone with his affable energy and became the Opportunities Officer. Not to forget, the Courier’s very own Libby Griffiths now carries the title of Student Media Officer after a landslide win.
As for the Liberation Officers, we start the new term with Yibao Yu winning the position of Ethnic Diversity Officer, along with Yunru Deng occupying the post of International Students Officer. Matilda Hardy was unanimously chosen to be the Working Class Officer, as was Hafza Niaz for the position of Faith or Belief Officer. The posts of Disability Officer, LGBTQ+ Officer, Marginalised Genders Officer and Parents, Guardians and Carers Officer are yet to be filled.
The students also voted to remain a part of the NUS in referendum-style vote, along with Abdul Alghamdi becoming the Chair of Council, and Sophia Dolan becoming the Chair of Scrutiny. The elections were an exhilarating time, and I am so sure that the elected officers will do us all proud!