NEWS:

21 Apr, 2016


Students campaining
Bunda College Students (BSU) this Friday will cast votes to choose their new leaders. This year’s election is totally different compared to the previous elections. The number of participating candidates has increased to fifty compared to forty-two in the last elections. Female candidates turn up also leaves a lot to be desired, the number has increased from only three women to Nine compared to last year. Still more there is a lot to be done to achieve the so called 50:50 gender balance in top positions.

Speaking in an interview with John Susuwele, the Chairperson of the 2016/2017 Bunda Electoral commission, he assured that the election will be fair.

“We will stick to what the constitution demands us” he added.

In order to maintain peace and order, the Police will be involved during the voting process. Independent organizations like Catholic Commission for Justice (CCJP) will also be at the scene during the voting and vote counting.

The mode of delivering Manifestos has dramatically changed, we have witnessed well renowned musician the likes of Lucius Banda and Lloyd Phiri just to mention a few campaigning for some candidates. This has never happened before in Bunda student’s union(BSU) elections history. Aspiring candidates have also taken advantage of the social networks, they are now delivering their Manifestos through class WhatsApp and Facebook groups. In addition, student halls this week has been so noisy with supporters chanting campaign songs.

There has also been an influx of graphic designing companies pouring in to help candidates sell themselves through campaign posters. Every notice board and wall has not been spared with campaign posters be it someone’s else office or not. Walking along the corridors one could wonder if this is the same Bunda or just a photo studio wall. Looking from a distance you could think the College corridors have been painted with some new paint but you could be surprised to discover that they are just posters.

A day like this, a day before the actual elections, we have not heard any quarrels and conflicts between the candidates as it was the case with the previous elections. During campaign period, we could hear that people have been beaten being accused of opposing others. So far the campaign atmosphere at Bunda is intense, we look forward to the big day tomorrow “the voting day.”


Written By: Gracious Chimbalanga, an Agricultural and Development Communication third year student