An election as defined by the Colins English Dictionary is the gradual process of selecting by votes of a person or persons from among other candidates for a specific position especially a political office or a public vote on an official position. A vote is therefore described as an indication of choice, opinion, such as choosing of a candidate or leader for a specific position or rank. An election has a dozen of importance. Some of which are;

An election helps to create a governance of democracy which helps in the expression of the various minds of people in a way which does not involve conflict. Election generally helps an entity in development, this is due to the never-ending change of leaders. In doing so, various leaders bring forth creative ideas to improve the state of being of a group or entity.

Pre-election

Approximately, after a term and two weeks of promotion of current JHS three students, an announcement was made that prefectship positions of the school have become vacant and new prefects are needed. It was also announced that every interested student can apply for any of the positions by means of writing an application letter.

A few days after the announcement was made, many students from both JHS two classes began aspiring for vacant positions. The vacant positions were senior boys’ prefect, senior girls’ prefect, compound overseer, library prefect, ICT prefect, chaplain prefect, sports prefect, dining hall prefect and entertainment prefect. The application letters were written by many of the students but only suitable ones were selected.

The next day, the selected students were vetted. This event was done by the vetting committee of the school. After the vetting process, the qualified candidates were approved. Students chosen were deemed suitable and worthy for the various positions after assessment of their behaviors and academic performance.

The selected candidates were given the opportunity to campaign for their various positions. They moved from one class to the other, to draw the pupils/students’ attention to vote for them. An announcement was made again about the final date for the prefectorial elections and the voting was to be done electronically. This was the first time for students in St. Marcellin to participate in an electoral process using an e-voting system.

The day of the election

On the election day, students were verified before they voted. They were very excited because the election was less stressful, and it was done ease. The institution only allowed students from upper primary and junior high school to vote therefore registering 400 voters. The number of verified voters on election day was 379.

The total vote cast was 355 which was an impressive 88.75% voter turnout for the school. Fourteen students campaigned and contested for nine positions with the ratio of male to female being 5 and 9 respectively.

Mr. Eric Gyamfi, the electoral officer begun the elections on 21st April at 10:39 am prompt and closed it on 21st April 2023 at 3:13pm prompt.

Post-election

Overall, the electoral process was seamless, transparent, and void of any electoral malpractices. The entire electoral process was digital which fast racked the process and eliminated the stress that comes post elections. The adoption of an online voting system ensured that election results were available immediately when elections were closed. The following Monday morning at assembly, the final electoral results were declared by the Pastoral Coordinator, Brother Michael. The newly elected prefects were unveiled beautifully to the whole school.

Written by: Eric Dwobeng Frimpong 

           JHS 3B

(Outgoing Boys Prefect)