UWI polls off to slow start

Polling stations at the JFK Auditorium, Medical Sciences Faculty and School of Education were opened for voting at 8 am but due to minor problems at the School of Education, that station had to be closed and the ballot box relocated to the JFK Auditorium where voting subsequently continued.

Prior to the elections, UWI students stated that Team UWI, headed by Rodney Jaglal, passed out T-shirts and the team led by Sandy Lutchmansingh treated students to daily lunches and a party at Club Equinox on UWI’s compound.

Progress UWI, led by Calixte George Jr, only presented their manifesto and engaged in walkabouts.

One Social Sciences student said, “I am not voting, the guild does not represent the student body, they are a separate entity and only looks out for themselves.” A Communications student said that only George Jr attended the open forum at Milner Hall on Wednesday night, where team leaders were to present their manifestos to the student population and allow students the opportunity to question their future plans for the guild. Of the other two, she said, “One made an excuse of having a family emergency and the other just apologised. That does not show true leadership.”

Outgoing president Fallon Lutchmansingh, who did not contest her post, said, “I enjoyed my term, but it’s time for someone else to have a chance.”

Some of the positions contested were president, vice president, secretary, treasurer, faculty representatives, part-time representative and post-graduate representative.

The results are expected to be declared today by returning officer Jeremy Medford, the first vice president of the UWI Alumni.