OBESSU Policy Paper on Ensuring Inclusive and Democratic Student Elections Towards Equal Participation

Every student deserves an equal voice. Too many students across Europe face barriers when trying to vote, run for positions, or participate in their school’s representative structures due to their background, language, or institutional obstacles.

OBESSU calls on Member Organisations to make student elections genuinely democratic: clear internal regulations, transparent processes, and annual reports tracking who is, and isn’t, being included. Awareness campaigns, training, and safe reporting mechanisms should back this up.

Because student representation is only legitimate when it represents everyone.