By Scott Waide – EM TV News, Lae
An overwhelming majority of Students at the University of Technology in Lae have voted for a boycott of class to call on the Prime Minister to step aside and for the Police Commissioner to reopen the Fraud Squad office.
A referendum was conducted on Friday, May 6.
On Friday afternoon, the Electoral Commission officers counted the votes and later announced that 2,059 students had voted “YES” while 296 voted against the boycott.
Forums have been ongoing but the SRC constitution has not allowed the students to progress to a boycott without a referendum.
While the students voice has been loud, the SRC has raised concerns over the silence of unions, workers and non-government organisations who have, in previous years held governments to account.
Earlier in a separate interview, Vice Chancellor, Dr Albert Schram, said Administration has not been closed and after two days of forum, normal operations will resume and that normal university functions will continue if there is a yes vote for the boycott.
https://youtube.com/watch?v=xY2bX5Gl8oA%3Ffeature%3Doembed%26wmode%3Dopaque%26showinfo%3D0%26showsearch%3D0%26rel%3D0