FOLLOWING what was described as smooth and transparent elections this year in the University of Guyana Law Society (UGLS), newly appointed President Patrice Wishart and Vice-President Devin Singh will assume their posts with the intention of raising standards in the Law Department, with the intended involvement of corporate Guyana. 

The elections which concluded on Wednesday last saw Wishart, a first -year student competing against Ron Motilall and Samuel Glasgow, both of whom are in their second year. Second-year student Devin Singh, who was also victorious, competed against Kadeem Gordon and Chevy Devonish, both first- year students.
Polls were opened from 12pm to 6pm on voting day which was Wednesday last to facilitate 216 students from first, second and final years. However, only 150 votes out of this total were cast.
Returning Officer, Glenfield Dennison in an interview with this publication was pleased to disclose that the electoral process had been a “transparent and free” one, noting that while there were minor setbacks, the initial results were not affected. Commenting on the voters’ turnout this year, President-elect, Wishart expressed how pleased he was at the number of voters who had presented themselves this year to participate. “Most persons that I would have come in contact with would have indicated that they’ve voted already, so I am very pleased with the turnout this year,” he said, adding that the work of the elections commission, headed by Chairman Akeem Greene has been admirable. While admitting that there were a few hiccups along the way, Wishart noted that the department is still in the growing process and a perfect execution of the process was never expected.
“My platform is to get the involvement of the students and corporate Guyana to assist us in developing the Law Department. In the past, we have been relying too much on the Government of Guyana and the University of Guyana’s administration to do things for us and as a result not many things have been done. So now I’m trying to do things differently and try to get people who would have gone through UG and who would have understood the struggles. So we are trying to get their involvement not only in the education but in the infrastructural development of the Law Department,” he related.
Sharing the same sentiments on the electoral process was newly appointed Vice- President, Devin Singh, who highlighted the fact that the presidential debate which would have been the day before elections, had been perfectly executed and tested the abilities of those vying for the various posts.
Singh noted that his main goal is to also get the involvement of corporate Guyana to seek to enhance the quality of the law department. Two such projects he identified as necessary were getting more furniture for the department, since the increase in the number of law students has resulted in a shortage. Second, the installation of an air- conditioning unit, so as to combat the ventilation issue which the department currently experiences.
“Getting into law school is difficult as it is, but when we get in and experience some of the difficulties such as the lack of ventilation, shortages of furniture and so forth” Singh related, while noting that only last year, Buddy’s had donated some fans to the law department and as such, they remain hopeful that other companies can follow this model and also render assistance.
What is key; he noted, is student involvement and having students in the department approach the elected officials with issues that might face them. This way, the concerns of the students can be addressed and the quality of the students’ lives can be significantly improved, paving a way also for a better learning institution.
Meanwhile, other officials who were elected includes: Secretary, Arianna Beharry; Treasurer, Kaycia Ellis; Assistant/Secretary Treasurer, Shivani Lallram; Organising Secretary, Tevera Franklin; First year representative, Matthew Humphrey; Second year representative, Rashulata St. Louisl; and Third year representative, Vaughn Paul.