By Jiann Delumen

Candidates from the Isanliyab Servant Leaders’ Union (ISLU) clinched all contested positions in the Institute of Arts and Sciences (IAS) Student Council (SC) elections despite abstain votes surpassing candidate tallies in most races, following their proclamation by the Far Eastern University (FEU) Commission on Elections (COMELEC) last May 7.

Heading the IAS SC is president-elect Dara Leoven Ecleo, who received 1,060 votes against 961 abstain votes, while Radha Chloe Bolo secured the vice presidency with 983 votes despite abstain votes reaching 1,027.

Wynneth Jessica Lavarias won the secretary race with 1,028 votes amid 980 abstain votes, while Kristine Arllaine Daileg garnered 921 votes against 1,077 abstain votes for treasurer. Clifford Dwaine Guinto obtained 946 votes against 1,060 abstain votes for auditor, and Angelo Gabriel Chinlee secured 879 votes against 1,136 abstain votes for press relations officer (P.R.O.).

ISLU candidates likewise occupied all contested positions in the Psychology Society elections, led by president-elect Alwin Chester Deocareza with 575 votes, vice president-elect Keith Angelique Ramos with 480 votes, and secretary-elect Jester Abulencia with 528 votes.

Abstain votes, however, surpassed the tallies of proclaimed winners in the organization’s treasurer, auditor, and P.R.O. races, where Oliver John Corpuz received 314 votes against 576 abstain votes, Aiyana Sophia Cantillan garnered 403 against 490, and Fatima Joie Beltran obtained 441 against 454.

Meanwhile, Kadiwa Student Coalition candidates secured all positions in the Political Science Society, with Precious Julianne Ng winning the presidency with 184 votes alongside Albert James Reodique with 156 votes for vice president, Jia Riona Pontejo with 177 votes for secretary, Lindsay Mae Luczon with 150 votes for treasurer, Sylvan Kenshi Lim with 151 votes for auditor, and Mia Vianca Damasco with 171 votes for P.R.O.

Independent candidates under Tinig Haynayan Bloc also won all contested seats in the Biological Science Society, led by president-elect Ashlee Nicole Maraño with 312 votes, Raphael Frutas with 325 votes for vice president, Zyrille Faye Del Rosario with 287 votes for secretary, April Jane Lopez with 252 votes for treasurer, Shaniah Alea with 228 votes for auditor, and Jillian Gabrielle Laguna with 281 votes for P.R.O.

For the International Studies Society, independent candidate Samantha Nadine Baluyut won the secretary race with 80 votes against 15 abstain votes, and ISLU’s Dominic Jacob Tolentino secured the treasurer post with 38 votes against 26 abstain votes, while no candidates filed for the organization’s remaining positions.

The Institute of Arts and Sciences recorded 2,044 voters out of 5,322 students, translating to a 38.4-percent voter turnout that surpassed the 20-percent threshold required for the validation of results and proclamation of winning candidates.

(Photo by Rian Balagtas/FEU Advocate)