IN a move to drive student apathy down and redefine student governance in the Tertiary Schools, the Bedan Electoral Committee (BELCOM) has officially introduced a tertiary-wide elections system, integrating the Student Executive Council (SEC) and co-curricular organizations under a unified electoral process.

The initiative, spearheaded by BELCOM Chairperson Jose Mari Aguidan (IV-BSLM), stems from the success of the Joint Special Elections conducted last August, which he reportedly states “reduced student apathy to 30 percent.” 

A Unified Elections

 Building on this momentum, BELCOM expanded the concept into a broader, system-wide change drawn from the structure of the national democratic elections. 

With the Committee establishing partnerships with various co-curricular organizations, the unified elections will ensure that all participating organizations mirror the procedures observed in the SEC elections, standardizing the process and guaranteeing accountability from the candidates.

“This is more than an election. This is a movement—one that redefines engagement, strengthens student leadership, and ignites a culture where every Bedan understands the power of their voice and the impact of their vote,” said the Chairperson.

 According to BELCOM, this integration is anchored in the Committee’s Election Code under Article I, General Provisions, Section 2 (Applicability), which mandates that all Tertiary Schools student elections, including co-curricular organizations, referenda, and other special elections deemed necessary by the student body. BELCOM also confirmed that the merged system is intended to become the standard in future election cycles.

Ensuring Transparency Throughout

 BELCOM underscored its commitment to maintaining fair, transparent, and impartial elections through several institutional safeguards. All associates of the electoral committee are bound by a Non-Disclosure Agreement (NDA) to protect sensitive election data, while strict communication policies are in place to limit all election-related concerns to select official communication channels.

Additionally, the Election Code’s provisions define permissible campaign activity, such as the dissemination of campaign materials, social media posting procedures, and the prohibited election propaganda, among others, regulating the conduct upheld by the candidates throughout the election process.

To prevent voter confusion and unequal visibility among candidates, BELCOM will implement structured guidelines, standardized campaign protocols, and organized information dissemination, ensuring that every candidate from every organization is equitably represented in the elections.

“Through these combined measures—confidentiality protocols, strict communication policies, and a well-established legal framework—BELCOM upholds a credible electoral process where fairness is protected, transparency is maintained, and all candidates are held to the same standard,” Aguidan added. 

Moreover, through its formalized partnership with THE BEDAN HERALD in a joint signing last Feb. 28, BELCOM is committed to the timely release of election-related information throughout the process.

As another independent body and the official student publication of the Tertiary Schools, TBH will serve as the official panel during the Miting de Avance, hold a special coverage during the entire election period, and provide the student body with the necessary information before officially casting their votes, and post-elections. 

Apathy and Responsibility

 To combat longstanding student apathy, BELCOM is introducing initiatives designed to encourage active participation and dialogue. Among these is the revival of the aforementioned Miting de Avance, in collaboration with TATAK Bedista, serving as the broadcast media partner. This will serve as a medium for candidates to present their platforms, engage in discussions, and respond to queries from the student body.

Through the Miting de Avance every candidate is under scrutiny, with their future constituents present to assess whether they have the competence, credibility, and leadership deemed fit for their respective positions.

Furthermore, an anonymous online question system will be launched, made accessible via online forms, providing students the opportunity to be more involved and to challenge the candidates during the election process. “By giving students a voice, a platform, and a reason to participate, we do not just encourage attendance—we cultivate informed, empowered, and active stakeholders in student governance,” noted Aguidan.

The Chairperson shares that when elections are conducted in a manner similar to that of the national elections, “students begin to understand that voting is not just an activity—it is a responsibility.” 

Toward a Standardized System

As of press time, several organizations, which include the Bedan Information and Technology Society, Bedan International Studies Association, Bedan Psychological Society, Junior Bedan Law Circle, Junior Bedan Marketing Association, Junior Financial Executives, and Junior People Management Association of the Philippines, have collaborated with BELCOM for the Bedista-wide elections, a step in the Committee’s goal of aligning every organization of the College with its electoral policies.

While not all co-curricular organizations are participating in the initial election rollout, BELCOM affirmed that all organizations remain subject to the Election Code and will be monitored to ensure compliance with the established standards.

 “Ultimately, this is not just about compliance,” Aguidan said. “It is about building a culture where every organization aligns with a shared vision of credible, standardized, and meaningful student elections.”

BELCOM’s new electoral system marks a significant step toward strengthening democratic participation within the College.