On 9 October this year, Otago local body elections will be held to decide the make-up of Otago’s regional government.
Despite the importance of the local council in influencing facets of the student lifestyle it appears only half the student population in Dunedin is registered to vote, and one of those not on the list is OUSA President Harriet Geoghegan.
Before we could get up in arms about her apparent neglect of the democratic process, Geoghegan informed us that she is enrolled, but has recently changed electorates, which may not have been fully processed yet.
Indeed, Geoghegan told Critic that OUSA is concerned at the low numbers of students enrolled to vote, and is planning to organise events and campaigns to raise awareness of the elections and increase student enrolment numbers.
“We are currently planning a big campaign to get people to enroll, to vote, and to get candidates to campaign on some student-friendly issues.”
Geoghegan didn’t elaborate on what OUSA had planned, but students can expect to see plenty to do with the up coming elections around campus.
But who exactly are we voting for?
Local Government elections are for the Dunedin City Council, Otago Regional Council, and the new Southern District Health Board. These are the groups that control what happens with the rates that residents pay, make the buses run on time, and lots of other tasks that make Dunedin the place it is.
The Council comprises the Mayor, Deputy Mayor, and thirteen other Councillors who represent the following wards: Cargill, Green Island-Saddle Hill, Hills, Mosgiel-Taieri, South Dunedin, and Waikouaiti Coast-Chalmers.
The Council is responsible for the governance of the city, setting its strategic direction, and ensuring that the Council works towards meeting the community outcomes that it has set for itself through the Long Term Council Community Plan (LTCCP).
An information evening for intending candidates for the Dunedin City Council and Otago Regional Council will be held in the Fullwood Room, Dunedin Centre, Harrop Street, Dunedin on Monday, 2 August 2010 at 7.00 pm.
Geoghegan Too Lazy to Even Enroll?
