POLITICAL PARTY Students’ Democratic Party (SDP) will not be allowed to participate in next year’s local elections after failing to get accreditation from the Faculty of Arts and Letters Commission on Elections (AB Comelec).
SDP’s non-accreditation came after it failed to submit the necessary documents for accreditation as stated in the UST Students’ Election Code (USEC) of 2011.
USEC states that all political parties applying for accreditation must submit two copies of their members’ conforme, registration forms, and photocopies of identification cards.
SDP failed to submit a second copy of the said requirements on the day of filing of deficiencies last Oct. 26, AB Comelec Chairperson Maria Margarita Villarica explained.
“When we found out that their requirements were not complete on Monday (Oct.24, registration and accreditation day), we immediately informed them and the other political parties about their deficiencies on the same day,” Villarica said.
SDP, however, remains as a recognized political party in the Faculty but is not entitled to the rights and privileges provided by the USEC to an accredited political party, which includes participation in the elections.
“SDP is still recognized because they have been registered in AB before. Parang ‘yung system kasi ganito: ‘yung nagre-register lang is ‘yung bagong political party just like what STAND (Student Alliance for the Advancement of Democratic Rights in UST ) did last year. So basically, nagpa-accredit lang ulit ‘yung mga political parties,” Villarica said.
The Flame tried to contact SDP, the oldest political party in the University, but to no avail as of press time.
Only Dekada, Grand Alliance for Progress, and STAND UST were the accredited political parties in AB this academic year, as stated in AB Comelec’s resolution promulgated Nov. 8. F – ANGELIQUE ANNE F. TORRES
