IASA changes election process, votes on officers

The Indian American Student Association, which held its annual executive board elections last week, changed its election process this year in an effort to increase voter participation and turnout.

The elections began last Monday with speeches from all of the candidates, followed by a question-and-answer session. The elections ended Saturday with an election ball and final speeches by the candidates. More than 300 people attended the final event..

IASA members could vote for candidates throughout the week at the speeches on Monday, the Shapiro Undergraduate Library, the IASA offices and the election ball.

"We wanted to make it a little more informative," said United Asian American Organizations chair and former IASA president Rahul Shah, an LSA junior.

The newly elected IASA president and vice-president are LSA sophomore Ankim Shah and Engineering junior Abhay Patel, respectively.

In past years, IASA members were only able to vote for candidates on the day of the election ball.

"There was a limited number of students who could vote," said Marie Ting, a program coordinator for the Office of Academic Multicultural Initiatives.

A committee of IASA members decided to implement the procedural changes in December.

Shah said the changes allowed members to gain a greater understanding of the candidates and the issues that they supported.

"We wanted to have more turnout, and we wanted members to make informative votes," he said.

About 180-200 members voted last week, approximately the same turnout as last year.

"This year, it seemed more efficient," said Tushar Sheth, former IASA co-president and Engineering senior.

Elections were held for president, vice-president, secretary, treasurer, social coordinators, volunteer coordinator and publications officers.

In addition to the week-long election process, candidate profiles were distributed on campus and made available on the Internet.

"A lot of people have come to me and said that this was a great thing," said Supeendep Dosanjh, an LSA first-year student and new publications officer. "The whole purpose was to have better candidates."

The new IASA officers will hold a meeting this Friday to discuss plans for the upcoming year.

02-03-98