Students break election records

Students at the University of St Andrews have broken records with what they think is the highest recorded turnout for student officer elections in the UK.

At 52%, the turnout for the St Andrews Students’ Association elections marks the highest count in the University’s history.

The elections, held late last week, follows a 15% turnout at the University of Glasgow’s SRC (Students’ Representative Council) elections recently.

A total of 37 positions were up for grabs on the SRC, Student Services Council (SSC) and at the Athletic Union of St Andrews.

The vote was conducted electronically for the first time, leading to a vast improvement in turnout. A record 4,080 votes were cast, resulting in a turnout of 52% of FTEs*.

Student leaders say the record turnout is officially the highest for a student election in the UK: St Andrews’ nearest rival recorded is Imperial College London with a 41.1% turnout.

Current President Patrick O’Hare said, “This is a victory for student democracy and really gives the incoming sabbaticals a fantastic mandate. I’d like to offer sincere congratulations to my successor and to all the other successful candidates. They look like a great team and I wish them all the best for the coming year.”

David Graves, the current Director of Student Development and Activities was Senior Elections Officer during the election. He said, “I was absolutely delighted with the election turnout this year: it was partly due to electronic voting but in my opinion it was much more related to the energy and enthusiasm of the campaign teams and the strength of the candidates.”

The results for full time sabbatical officer positions were as follows: Students’ Association President: Freddie fforde, Director of Representation: Amanda Litherland, Director of Events and Services: Jules Findlay and Director of Student Development and Activities: Meg Platt. Emily Griffiths was elected President of the Athletic Union.

The sabbaticals will take office on 1 July, whereas the SRC and SSC members take office immediately.

President Elect Freddie fforde said, “I’m so excited to start the year ahead, it’s going to be a great one with such a strong sabbatical team. I will be meeting with all the presidential candidates to find out what their candidacy represented that mine didn’t incorporate – I have to represent all students, not just the ones that voted for me.”

ENDS

* Based on 7,777 FTEs.

Note to Editors

Current President Patrick O’Hare is available for interview on: 07752 376 089.

Note to Picture Editors

An image of the newly elected sabbatical officers for next year is available from the Press Office – contacts below.

Caption: From left to right: Jules Findlay (Director of Events and Services-elect), Freddie Fforde (Association President-elect), Emily Griffiths (Athletic Union President Elect), Amanda Litherland (Director of Representation Elect), Meg Platt (Director of Student Development and Activities Elect).

Issued by the Press Office
Contact Gayle Cook, Senior Communications Manager on 01334 467227 / 462530, email [email protected]
Ref: Association election 190311