For the second year running, the role of OUSA President is uncontested. Not only that, but three of the other roles – Finance and Strategy Officer, Welfare and Equity Rep, and International Rep – also have only one candidate. It’s a bit difficult to call it a democratic election when four out of ten positions are running against a vote of no confidence.
These statistics follow decreasing levels of engagement with the OUSA Exec, the governing body that advocates for student interests on a local and national level. The lack of interest in the President’s role and other positions on the Exec marks the continuation of a worrying trend of disengagement, despite concerted efforts by current Exec members to change this.
This year’s election is the fourth time in the 21st century that the role of OUSA President has been contested by only one candidate. Prior to 2023, the last time that a presidential candidate ran uncontested was 2010. Before that, 2006. The Prez from 2010 can count themselves lucky, with eight candidates having run for the role in 2009.
Outgoing Prez Keegan Wells commented to Critic of this trend: “It is hard seeing it go uncontested again, as it is literally the best job you could ever want.” Despite her own feelings, however, Keegan admitted she wasn’t surprised. “Not many people have it in them to spend another year after graduation to stay and make objectively (less than) average money. Cost of living combined with the transitory view of Dunedin leaves it being an odd role to fill.”
Exec remuneration has been a subject of much debate among the current members this year. A hearty discussion among the Exec at one of their weekly meetings was held in July over the issue, with conversation centering around the fact that many felt their current pay (which doesn’t match living wage) didn’t equate to actual hours worked. Some work additional hours in other part-time jobs – on top of full-time study – to make ends meet.
The sole candidate for the OUSA President role is 2024’s Political Representative, Liam White. Speaking to the situation, Liam told Critic, “It’s kinda fucked aye […] I really did expect this year that there would be some opposition.” Having a ponder about what could have caused the lack of opposition (besides ol’ mate Mr Vote of No Confidence, of course), Liam said that there was a “degree of separation between what everyday students think they can do and the presidency.”
Liam told Critic Te Ārohi that, prior to the announcement of candidates, he’d expected to see some smaller interest groups putting forward candidates for the position to further their own agendas. He pointed to examples of groups who’ve been vocal this year such as Students for Justice in Palestine and Students for Sensible Drug Policy (SSDP). “But across the whole election we haven’t got that,” he said.
Though Liam is running uncontested, students who vote have the option to give a ‘no-confidence’ vote. In the event that these outnumber votes for Liam, there would be a by-election and the nomination of a new president.
Despite the apparent odds, neither Keegan or Liam seemed too worried about the state of student politics. “Student politics is alive and well with every position being run for, and in some cases up to four contestants,” Keegan said. Liam added, “It could be worse than it is, but students have been pretty lucky over the past couple of years.”