SDM proposes student voting on social policies

Student organisation proposes allowing students to table motions for campus-wide votes on issues related to social and education policies 

SDM's 11 candidates for this year's KSU election
SDM's 11 candidates for this year's KSU election

The Christian Democrats’ student group SDM has proposed allowing students to request public votes on campus related to social policy or education.

In its manifesto for the students’ council (KSU) election, SDM proposed an online public voting system so as to enhance student activism.   

The proposal will allow any student or organisation to table a motion which calls for a public vote on issues related to education or social policy. However, before going to a vote, it must first obtain a two-thirds majority within the social policy commission (KPS) or the education commission (KE).

The two commissions are composed of representatives of student organisations, as well as an elected chairperson – who is also granted a seat on the KSU executive.

Once the motion passes, the KE or KPS would then need to hold an online public vote within 15 working days from when the motion is approved.

The KE or KPS will then discuss the result of the vote before taking an official position, that will be taken as representative of students' public opinion.

SDM, who have never lost a KSU election, will be the only party contesting this year, following Pulse’s decision not to compete.

Pulse are calling for an entire revamp of KSU, including the introduction of student referenda to decide KSU’s policy positions. In contrast to SDM, Pulse’s proposal bypasses the KPS and the KE entirely and would allow students and organisations to call a referendum simply by obtaining enough signatues on a petition.