By Adrianne Coloma

By Giana Bacordo

Democracy demands participation. There is no other way out of such a process. It requires the willingness of both leaders and citizens, and as many students age into suffrage, this transition begs the question: What becomes of such a system when both its candidates and its voters fail to play their part?

Even in seemingly small-scale, low-stakes elections, this issue has become quite prominent. ASHS’ Year-End Elections (YEE) are approaching, and with it arise a number of concerns, especially regarding the lack of engagement seen from both ends. From low voter turnout to a limited number of student leaders stepping forward, the current electoral setting highlights the disconnect between students and the democratic responsibilities that they are soon to inherit.

To fully grasp the extent of this divide, it is necessary to examine it in concrete terms, especially in the Atenean context.

Student Participation

To understand the issue of voter turnout in the ASHS, it must be viewed in the context of the student body. The following statistics from last academic year are based on a Grade 11 student population of 971, each representing a potential vote in the elections. Often, however, this potential goes unrealized.

According to the Ateneo Senior High School’s Commission on Elections (COMELEC), in the tally of voters for the current officers of the School Year (SY) 2025–2026, only 696 voted for the Sanggunian President, only 696 voted; for the CSO Vice President, only 716 voted; for the CSC Vice President, only 727 voted; for the ATHC Vice President, only 746 voted; and for the ACO Vice President, only 749 voted — all out of the potential 971 students.

The pattern is consistent. When put up against the actual student population, the voter turnout seems insufficient by comparison. This gap between possible and actual participation is alarming for a number of reasons. It represents a relative disinterest in civic practices, even in small-scale school-based events. Studies have shown that prior involvement in student politics correlates with adult political engagement. If the coming generation shows this level of apathy when it comes to minimal acts of civic engagement, what does it mean for the future of a democracy that depends on their utmost participation?

The Search for Leaders

Electoral responsibility does not end with the voters. It also rests on those willing to step up and become leaders. Lately, however, such participation has been lacking. As compared to last academic year, there is a stark lack of student leaders vying for positions on the Sanggunian board, with many positions having only a single candidate each running.

This year’s elections are largely uncontested in every position, with only two having more than one candidate. A lack of competition in a student body comprised of upwards of a thousand is especially troubling. It represents a larger problem in the school, one that constitutes a critical concern: an overall sentiment of civic disengagement. Generally, a significant portion of students are neither interested in voting nor in running for student office positions.

This limited number of applicants consistently suppresses opportunities for effective dialogue. As John Stuart Mill argued, “In a really equal democracy, every or any section would be represented, not disproportionately, but proportionately … Unless they are, there is no equal government, but a government of inequality and privilege.” The spotlight of only one candidate at a time limits the student body’s capacity to engage in meaningful discourse and democracy. The unwillingness of many to serve limits opportunities for dialogue. 

On both sides of the electoral cycle, the ASHS student body has been largely lacking.

In Retrospect

As the campaigning period comes to a close, ASHS students will be asked to make a choice — keeping close to their chest what they want, what they know, and what they need. Perhaps a number of candidates have appealed to them. Perhaps even more affronted them. Putting into perspective such a decision may seem overblown at times. What is one vote affecting one academic school year to do in the wider scheme of one’s life?

The student elections, more than a pursuit for leadership roles, are an opportunity. Not only on the part of the leaders but also for the students; for both parties, it may be their first time taking part in anything resembling a civic process, in having a hand in the future of their wider community. These elections are no trivial matter. For the younger generation of Filipinos, it is a glimpse into what it means to choose, to be represented, and to take part in something greater than oneself.

Stepping into the responsibilities of the generation that came before you can be a jarring experience. Bringing oneself to actively participate in civic processes may feel intimidating, even daunting at times. But each electoral cycle is a chance for every senior high school student to dip their toes into the wide ocean of democracy, to learn the value of their voice, and to act out their political engagement as an active form of resistance.