Appointments, Performance Evaluation and Electoral Commission

The University of Pangasinan Appointments Performance Evaluation and Electoral Commission (UPang APEC) is an independent student constitutional body of the University of Pangasinan tasked with administering student elections, overseeing appointments to student organizations, and evaluating the performance of elected and appointed student officials. It functions as the primary guarantor of democratic processes, accountability, and integrity within the university’s student governance system.

History

The commission was established in as part of institutional reforms aimed at strengthening democratic participation and transparency in student governance at the University of Pangasinan. Its creation separated electoral and oversight functions from political student bodies, ensuring impartiality in elections and appointments.

Mandate and Authority

The UPang APEC derives its authority from its Constitution and By-Laws and is recognized by the university administration as an independent oversight body. It exercises jurisdiction over all accredited student governments and organizations within the University of Pangasinan.

Powers and Functions

Consistent with its name and mandate, the commission exercises the following powers and functions:

Electoral Administration – Plans, conducts, and supervises all official student elections, including the Flames General Elections, plebiscites, and referendums.
Appointments Oversight – Screens, validates, and confirms appointments to student councils, commissions, and recognized student organizations in accordance with existing rules.
Performance Evaluation – Monitors, reviews, and evaluates the performance, compliance, and accountability of elected and appointed student officials.
Investigative Authority – Initiates fact-finding inquiries and formal investigations into allegations of corruption, abuse of authority, misconduct, or violations of student governance laws by elected or appointed student leaders, with the power to require the submission of reports, documents, and sworn statements, subject to due process.
Quasi-judicial Functions – Acts as an impartial adjudicatory body in electoral cases, administrative complaints, and impeachment proceedings against student officials, including the conduct of hearings, evaluation of evidence, and issuance of resolutions or decisions in accordance with its Constitution and By-Laws.
Institutional Oversight Authority – Exercises oversight over all accredited student governments, councils, and recognized student organizations within the University of Pangasinan to ensure compliance with constitutional mandates, electoral laws, ethical standards, financial accountability, and governance regulations, without encroaching upon their day-to-day administrative autonomy.
Rule-making and Enforcement – Issues resolutions, guidelines, and implementing rules governing student elections, appointments, ethical conduct, and disciplinary procedures.
Dispute Resolution – Serves as the primary forum for electoral protests, disqualification cases, and inter-organizational disputes involving student officials.
Voter and Governance Education – Conducts information drives, trainings, and voter education programs to promote integrity, accountability, and democratic participation among students.

Organization

The UPang APEC is composed of a chairperson, an executive director, and a body of commissioners. Members are appointed through a defined selection process and serve fixed terms to ensure continuity and independence. The commission operates collegially and maintains functional units dedicated to elections, legal affairs, and monitoring and evaluation.

Independence

The commission operates independently from the Supreme Student Council and other political student organizations. Its decisions are guided solely by its Constitution and By-Laws, university regulations, and established democratic principles.

Constitutional Position

The UPang APEC is constitutionally independent from all student political and representative bodies within the University of Pangasinan. It does not maintain an organizational or hierarchical relationship with the University of Pangasinan Supreme Student Council or any other student government.

Under the university’s student governance framework, the Supreme Student Council functions as the executive arm of student governance, while the UPang APEC serves as the judicial and oversight body. As such, the commission exercises review, investigative, and adjudicatory authority over matters involving student elections, appointments, performance, and accountability, without being subject to direction or control by the SSC.

This separation of powers is intended to preserve institutional checks and balances, prevent conflicts of interest, and ensure impartial enforcement of student governance laws.

Office

The UPang APEC maintains its office at the University Extension Council Office, ITS Building, University of Pangasinan, Dagupan City. The office serves as the operational center for election management, hearings, and student consultations.

External links

Official Facebook page: 1(https://m.facebook.com/upangapec/)

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