Elections dull

"Presidential elections have always been rather dull, with a poll of 40 per cent being considered heavy, and we thought a profusion of candidates would arouse interest in the elections among the more torpid sectors of the student body," the statement read.

"We feel every student will be able to find a candidate he or she can vote for, the poor choice offered in past elections doubtless being a major reason for low polls. Students are more intelligent than student politicians think.

"We would emphasise that we didn't really expect quite such enthusiasm for the idea."

Of the presidential candidates themselves, Capping Controller Douglas White is the only current executive member. Though a former member, Denis Paxie, is standing, Neil Wright of, forum, the literary society and Pooh Club fame, and Owen Gager, editor of Dispute, well-known left winger and forum speaker, figure among the candidates.