Birzeit University holds 2023 Student Council elections

On May 24, 2023, Birzeit University announced the results of the university’s Student Council elections for the 2023-24 academic year. With 4,481 votes, the Al Wafa’ Islamic Bloc secured the largest share of seats, winning 25 out of 51. The Martyr Yasser Arafat Bloc secured 20 seats with 3,539 votes, the Democratic Progressive Student Pole secured 6 seats with 1,076 votes and the United Left Bloc did not secure any seats.

Dr. Iyad Tumar, chairperson of the Preparatory Committee for Elections and dean of Student Affairs, maintained that the voter turnout reached 77.5, with 9,121 out of 12,163 students eligible to vote casting their ballot. There were 183 invalid votes as well as 67 blank votes.

He added, “The public interest in Birzeit University’s elections affirms the national, entrepreneurial and effective role the university plays in promoting freedom of thought and democratic practices on campus.”

Birzeit University President Dr. Beshara Doumani commended the efforts of the university community to preserve the integrity and transparency of the elections. Underpinning the Student Council election, he explained, is a shared belief among the university community in the values of democracy, pluralism and diversity, allowing student blocs representing all Palestinian national movements and parties to participate in the elections.

Although the United Left Bloc, comprising the Student Unity Bloc, Independency Bloc, Union of Students Bloc and Palestine for Everyone Bloc, announced their withdrawal from the elections, the Preparatory Committee declined the request, as it was filed after the deadline.