AFTER FAILING TO secure a majority vote in the previous first-year level representative elections, a special election on November 14 will once again see an unchallenged race, with San Bigkis Party’s (SBP) Zhandreah Dognidon as the sole candidate vying for the unfilled post.

The San Beda Electoral Board (ELBO) promulgated Resolution No. 10-2526 dated October 15, calling for a special election after the last election cycle failed to proclaim a winning candidate.

In the approved resolution, ELBO announced that the special election period will last from November 10 to 13, with the political party accreditation, the filing of certificates of certificate of candidacies taking place in the days prior. 

As the sole accredited party, SBP has again fielded Department of Legal Management freshman Dognidon, who failed to qualify in the previous elections.

In an interview with The Bedan, despite having her initial candidacy rejected after ELBO identified several procedural lapses in SBP’s filing, Dognidon expressed her motivation to run again, citing the “trust and connection” she has built with her fellow first-years. 

She emphasized her commitment to serve and represent her batch, noting that her platforms were developed based on feedback and recurring concerns raised by students, mentioning how the outcome of the last election was a factor she considered in curating her platforms. 

“A lot of students actually expressed their opinions and constructive criticisms. They mentioned what are the things that they really wanted,” she said.

“I can already see how much connection I have with Batch 2029, and I wish to utilize that to give my best together as one batch.”

Expressing his sentiments on the outcome of the last election cycle, SBP Chairperson John Francis Gangcuangco highlighted the need “to fill in the gaps for the first-year level representative position” in light of the growing concerns regarding first-year students’ “needs and their rights as students.”

He furthered that the party was initially motivated to file for accreditation in view of “the urgent need to represent the students,” as he explained that SBP’s decision to re-nominate Dognidon stemmed from her continued dedication to service.

“Zhandreah was willing to serve the Bedan community. She poured her heart out for the Bedan community… that motivated us to make her run again for the first-year level representative,” he said.

Gangcuangco also acknowledged the unusual nature of this year’s consecutive elections, which both featured only one candidate running unopposed.

“It’s not a normal election cycle. Usually, there are two or more candidates, but now we only have one versus the abstain vote,” he said. “That’s why we have to prove so much to the students and fill in the gaps in the first-year level representation.”

Despite the suspension of classes two days into the official campaign period due to Typhoon Uwan, which reduced the campaign period to only one and a half days, both Gangcuangco and Dognidon expressed optimism that the election would “encourage greater sutdent participation and representation.”

“Remember to vote on November 14, because this election cycle is really important for us to be able to fill in the gaps that are needed in your batch,” Gangcuangco addressed the first-year students.

The Miting de Avance (MDA) will be held on November 13, followed by the election day and proclamation on Friday, November 14.