Right now, at the St Augustine Campus one can smell blood in the air as we approach Guild Elections 2009. It is at this time that students feel the need to be beyond friendly so as to attain your vote then pass you straight for the balance of the academic year.

Every year at General Forum people come out in mass to hear the bacchanal reek from the supporters and non supporters of the various parties...and yes i do mean parties. Party politics is a main stay even in our small community.

People create propaganda, bring irons (literally) purporting to bring an end to the corruption and making the guild more accessible to the students (blah blah blah blah). And every year, the most popular person is the one who tends to get the most coveted positions on Council.

So having laid the framework for my discussion I now ask, IS IT REALLY ABOUT REPRESENTATION?

I overheard someone the other day say ‘oh he, yeah I does see he is real fete. You know all dem party people go vote for he; cause he is one a dem’.

Really? Is this the price or value that we put on who should represent us on some of the most powerful boards of the University of the West Indies?

Every year the media microscope is put on us; with media houses and reported salivating at the sight of any bacchanal that could make the news!

Is this the legacy that we want? Do we want that when the public looks at the UWI all they see is drama with the Guild? Are we really contented with this title that has been bestowed upon us?

So now I implore you:

• READ the constitution.(Download here )
  
• Be FAMILIAR with the different portfolios and what they require.
• BE AWARE of what YOU want from student leadership and VOTE accordingly.
• DO NOT let race, ethnicity or friendship sway Your vote!
• LISTEN to what people are saying
• ATTEND the elections forum
• STAY OUT of the crap that usually surround elections
• Stick to FACTS and track record and what candidates are saying.