22/05/2026
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๐๐๐๐๐ ๐๐๐๐๐ ๐๐๐๐๐๐๐ ๐๐ ๐๐๐๐!๐ณ๏ธ
The ballots have been cast, the tallies are locked, and the next chapter of Saint Maryโs University (SMU) student governance has officially been written.
Out of a total eligible tertiary population of 5,522 students, only ๐ญ,๐ฎ๐ฐ๐ฑ ๐๐ผ๐๐ฒ๐ฟ๐ participated. This places the official voter turnout at just ๐ฎ๐ฎ.๐ฑ๐ฑ%,
The Student Central Council (SSC) votes, matching the total voter turnout of 1,245, showed varying levels of political participation across different schools.
The School of Accountancy and Business (SAB) proved to have the highest voter turnout on campus with a 7.19% turnout (397 votes), polling nearly double the numbers of other departments. They were followed closely by the School of Health and Natural Sciences (SHANS) at 6.39% (353 votes), and the School of Engineering, Architecture, and Information Technology (SEAIT) at 5.13% (283 votes). Conversely, the School of Teacher Education and Humanities (STEH) registered the lowest engagement with just a 3.84% turnout (212 votes).
In the Student Central Council presidential race, Sethrach Mar A. Navis secured the universityโs top student post with 807 votes (64.82%) with a 35.18% abstain rate (438 votes). On the other hand, Kim Zyrelle S. Lumayas locked down a commanding victory for the Vice Presidency, pulling in 929 votes (75.54%) with 316 abstentions (25.38%) securing the highest voter turnout among all posts.
Additionally, Elaina Jeanne P. Rivera took the win as Executive Secretary with 729 votes (58.22%) against a 41.78% abstain rate, while fiscal and transparency roles went to Jurojin M. Cabanilla for Finance with 777 votes (62.41%) and 468 abstentions (37.59%) and Kurt Anthony B. Covita for Audit with 825 votes (66.27%) with 420 abstentions (33.73%) .
Campus communications saw strong support with Gospel Joy C. Sibayan capturing 908 votes (72.93%) and 337 abstentions (27.07%) for Public Relations, while Rj Franz Argueza obtained 825 votes (66.27%) with 420 abstentions(33.73%), securing the Secretary for Peace.
Yet, in the race for Secretary for Business Affairs, German A. Bacoleta IV garnered 811 votes (64.78%) with 441 (35.22%) abstentions. His fellow candidate, Candice Therese M. Polecina, captured 623 votes (50.04%), with 622 votes (49.96%) for abstain.
This yearโs student voter participation is significantly lower as compared to the previous years, urging everyone to engage in means that aims to boost studentsโ participation in the next campus elections.