HOW NWU ELECTS STUDENT CAMPUS COUNCILS

Shanell Binedall

@shanell_lalalal

 

The rules regarding the Student Campus Council (SCC) elections are stated in the Rules of the Student Campus Council of the Campuses of the North-West University (NWU) (1P/1.3.29). It states all rules regarding the nominations, elections, voting and eligibility of SCC candidates.

The SCC voting period is set to start on Friday, 15 August until Wednesday, 20 August.

How the SCC Nomination Process Works

The nomination process for candidates who wish to serve on the SCCs kicks off simultaneously across all campuses on a date set in the university’s annual calendar, following consultation with the Student Representative Council (SRC).

Nominations are submitted electronically, using a format and procedure designed by the SRC in collaboration with the Registrar’s office. Once nominations close, each SCC carefully reviews all submissions to ensure they are valid and complete.

If any formal issues are found, candidates are given 24 hours to correct them. After this grace period, all valid nominations are forwarded to the Independent Student Electoral Commission (ISEC) for official validation.

Once campus-specific processes — approved by the SRC — are completed, the ISEC has to confirm the nominations. The SRC then publishes the final list of candidates. This marks the official start of the promotion and campaigning period for the SCC elections.

This, however, is subdued if the candidates are deemed eligible. If you’re thinking about stepping into student leadership and running for a position on the SCC, there are a few requirements you’ll need to meet.

How to Qualify for a Position in the SCC

• Be a registered NWU student in a qualification-bearing programme.
• Have passed at least 70% of modules from the previous semester.
• Be registered for at least 60% of their current academic year’s modules.
• Be within the maximum allowed study duration.
• Have served or been serving a full term in a university student leadership position.

Extra conditions apply for certain positions:

• Chairperson candidates must have completed a full term as an SCC member.
• Distance Students Officer candidates must commit to attending all SRC meetings and activities.

Who Cannot Run

You are not eligible if you:

• Are in your first year of an undergraduate programme.
• Have already served more than two full terms on an SCC.
• Would face a conflict of interest if elected.
• Have been found guilty of a serious offence under NWU’s student disciplinary rules (without the option of a fine).
• Have a criminal record.

Political Party Positions

Any elected SCC member must resign from all positions held in a political party, although ordinary membership is still allowed.

SCC Elections: How the Voting Process Works at NWU

The Student Campus Council (SCC) elections at North-West University (NWU) are conducted electronically, using secure systems provided by the Registrar’s office in line with the SCC rules. This ensures every student’s vote is secret and that the process is both transparent and fair.

Voting Systems and Security

All electronic voting mechanisms are designed to guarantee the confidentiality of ballots. The Independent Student Electoral Commission (ISEC) is granted full access to every part of the election process to ensure integrity.

The election dates and times are published in the university’s annual calendar, following consultation with the Student Representative Council (SRC). Voting stations are set up across all campuses, with the number and locations carefully planned to accommodate voter numbers and prevent long queues.

To vote, you must be a bona fide full-time registered contact student of NWU. This is verified by providing your student number along with your ID, passport, or study permit number when casting your ballot.

For the purposes of voting, a “registered student” is defined as anyone enrolled full-time in a formal qualification programme offered by NWU. The official list of eligible voters is drawn from the university’s student database as of the last day of March in the election year. Votes are tallied electronically by the university’s appointed auditors, under the supervision of ISEC. The candidate with the majority of votes for a specific SCC portfolio wins the seat. In the rare event of a tie, ISEC will compare the academic performance of the tied candidates, with the highest-performing student declared the winner.

After the election is complete candidates have 48 hours after the results are released to submit any appeals or objections regarding election procedures or outcomes to ISEC. ISEC will investigate promptly, and its decision is final and binding. Before results are made official, an external auditor reviews the vote count to ensure accuracy. If the audit confirms the results, ISEC ratifies the election as free and fair.

Once ratified, the SCC publishes the full results — including the names of elected candidates, number of votes received by each, voter turnout percentage and the number of spoilt ballots. These results are made available both online and on campus notice boards.

This detailed process is designed to ensure that SCC elections at NWU are fair, transparent, and truly reflective of the student voice.

A demo showing how the voting system works (Source: NWU)

Edited by Mhlengi Khumalo