For the second year running, The Third Eye is hosting the KSJC Election Debte at University. Students present are invited to hear the arguments and concerns of contesting presidents, Ryan Attard (Pulse) and Keith Grima (SDM), and the presidents and vice-presidents of both organisations, Luke Zika (SDM), Ian Zahra (SDM), Wayne Sammut (Pulse) and Ayrton Mifsud (Pulse). Students are also invited to pose a number of questions to all individuals. The Debate has just begun as the students have gathered inside Common Room.
18:06: Starting off the event, The Third Eye has invited the crowd to join the team in a minute of silence to show respect to the recent victims of terrorism.
18:08: Ryan Attard, on behalf of Pulse, together with Keith Grima, representing SDM, have just been called to the panel, kicking off the debate.
18:14: Ryan describes that proposals cannot replace other proposals in a manifest once it is given to the students.
18:15: The Third Eye asks a question to Keith Grima with regard to this year’s SDM’s long-time proposals which are the same as last year’s proposals and even the previous year. Keith insists that SDM believes in its proposals and keeps pushing year after year to complete its long-term promises.
18:18: Questioned upon the brigde proposal in Pulse’s manifest, Keith Grima interrupts by pointing out that SDM has managed to renovate the brigde already. Yet, Ryan insists that Pulse will continue to push for a total renovation of the bridge. The two candidates disagree on this proposal.
18:22: The Third Eye’s presenter Russell questions upon the transport system used by Junior College students. Keith answers that although the proposal is not in the manifest, they will still continue to work on it if elected into KSJC.
18:26: The Third Eye questions Ryan Attard about the proposal regarding lockers equipped with chargers. Ryan states that if the proposal is addressed with adequate investment, then it can be completed successfully. When asked about finances, Ryan states that outgoing KSJC has left funds, and if elected to KSJC, Pulse will work on funding the proposal.
18:29: Point of Information: Jake Scerri asks Ryan how Pulse in KSJC would be ready to exhaust the funds for one proposal. He also questions the possibility of increasing charging bays due to funds. With reference to his term as KSJC president, he feels that it would be too expensive to improve the chargers in all classes. Ryan, however, points out that the manifest does not state that these will be placed in all classes.
18:31: Students are approaching The Third Eye with their questions. These will be asked to Ryan and Keith.
18.36: Questions addressed to Keith include those with regard to the managing of funds that were raised by means of the Christmas Ball, to second years being excluded form last year’s manifest due to the fact that most of the proposals were completed throughout the end of the term of KSJC, and to summer study sessions. Questions posed to Ryan deal with student busses, the recycling system, and the paper issued by Pulse this morning that attacks SDM’s campaign.
19:07: With regard to the paper which Pulse was spreading this morning at the College, Keith says that Pulse’s criticism should be constructive whilst Ryan answers that the student has to know of all the weak points of the Council.
19:08: As the first debate has come to a close, The Third Eye invites Luke Muscat and Ian Zahra, on behalf of SDM, and Wayne Sammut and Ayrton Mifsud, representing Pulse, to the panel.
19:09: Wayne points out that Pulse has worked throughout the whole year, with summer campaigns such as ’Change the System’, and other work done by the organisation. This has been the long-term approach Pulse has always taken. Luke Muscat says that an organisation must be consistent and such campaigns must be effective and provide results.
19:13: Representatives on the Pulse ticket express that Pulse has always respected the present Council, whichever it has been. Ayrton says that Pulse has also worked tirelessly with regards to the Age of Consent issue which has been controversial on a national level.
19:14: When asked about the reduction of SDM block votes, Ian says that the Junior College (JC) election occurs at the beginning of the year where the turn out is much higher than the KSU elections which are held in April, at which time JC second years would have finished their scholastic year.
19:24: Questioning both Pulse and SDM about certain social media pages aimed at giving a negative image to the other contesting organisation, Wayne answers that last year, the election was too positive. He remarks that criticism is positive and healthy, both from Pulse and SDM. Luke agrees with Wayne with regard to healthy constructive criticism, yet, he disagrees that social media pages are unnecessary. Luke also sees the paper Pulse has been handing to students as anything other than constructive criticism. Luke also denies that the Facebook page is linked to the organisation.
19:31: SDM is being asked with regard to the contoversial video uploaded by SDM members, portraying Pulse members present on Junior College grounds after school hours. Luke argues that they were simply present at Junior College instead of going home after school hours. Yet, SDM felt no need to take legal action, unlike Pulse. Wayne says that Pulse never stated that SDM tore the hammocks.
19:37: The Debate has come to a close with final comments taken from both sides.