City University of Hong Kong (CityU) has introduced two new measures this year to facilitate student election activities on campus: an election website for the Students’ Union (SU) where candidates can promote their campaigns and electronic polling to simplify vote-counting.

October and November are the busiest time for student elections, a time when candidates stage promotional activities such as producing banners, chanting slogans and wearing fancy dress.

“The website adds another dimension to the campaigning and allows those standing for election to communicate with voters online,” said Professor Lilian Vrijmoed Kwan Lee-ping, Dean of Student Learning.

Professor Vrijmoed said the University strongly supported election activities because they enabled students to gain valuable experience in team-building, develop their creativity and assume greater responsibility.

But to avoid inconveniencing others, candidates could now publicize their views on the website, she added.

Mr Joseph Chan Kai-nin, Director of Student Development Services, said the website was set up because students often browse the Internet for information and at the same time candidates

like alternative channels for publicity. In addition, electronic polling would help save time. In the past, candidates had to wait until midnight for results, he pointed out.

The Vice-Chairman of the SU’s Council Steve Poon Wai welcomed the new website and hoped candidates would make full use of it. Mandy, one of the candidates for the faculty elections this year, said it was a good move to have an additional promotional channel, while Henry, also standing in the elections, said the website would allow students to know more about the candidates’ ideas.