“Of course, we will vote!”
With the help of stands, extensive use of social media and an election quiz, the students at UiA will be led into the digital polling station. The annual student elections are underway.
In the course of 10 days until Friday 31 March, over 13,000 UiA students will elect their representatives to faculty boards and the Student Parliament. Including substitutes, close to 80 positions need to be filled.
“Of course, we are going to vote,” says Christina Larsen, who together with fellow students Nina Grøtteland, Marte Mauseth and Eline Horpestad turned up at STA's election stand in Vilhelm Krag Hall on Campus Kristiansand, when the voting period opened on Wednesday. All four are studying for a bachelor's degree in the kindergarten teacher training programme.
See STA's election pages here.
See UiA's election pages here.
Students vote electronically here (click on the English tab for translation). Requires login.
ON THE STAND: STA leader William Thanoothong Svendsen hopes for a good turnout. - It is important that as many people as possible use their right to vote, he says.
13,000 students can vote
STA President William Thanoothong Svendsen is pleased that his four fellow students are certain that they will vote in this year's elections.
“I strongly encourage all students to vote. It is important for our democracy - both in relation to the university and the Student Parliament,” says STA President William Thanoothong Svendsen.
“We completely agree. It is important to have a well-functioning student democracy. So of course, we will vote,” says Christina Larsen.
Skilled candidates
The student leader says that he is also very satisfied with the students who are standing for election this year.
“There are many talented candidates. There is also a greater number who are standing as candidates this year. The students in the individual faculties and in the teacher training programmes will therefore have several candidates to choose from when they vote. That is also good for democracy here at UiA,” he says.
See all the candidates here! (Norwegian only)
“Over 10 per cent”
It is no secret that turnout for student elections is generally low at the University of Agder as well as at other universities and university colleges. Last year, 8.3 per cent of UiA students voted in the Student Parliament election. Turnout to the elections for the faculty boards was slightly higher at 8.9 per cent.
“We aim to improve this year. Our target is over 10 per cent in both the elections, hopefully more. That is what we are working towards until the end of the voting period,” says William Thanoothong Svendsen.
BUNS: Buns are essential when you have a stand - no matter what! From left, students Christina Larsen, Nina Grøtteland, Marte Mauseth and Eline Horpestad; STA Vice President Katrine Bryggeså Øydna and STA President William Thanoothong Svendsen.