ELECTIONS

The Sanggunian General Elections are the elections that officially elect the President, Vice-President, School Representatives, and Course Representatives of the Sanggunian for the next academic year. These positions are elected by their respective constituencies. The procedures and requirements are governed by the Commission on Elections, ensuring the integrity of the election process. The President and Vice-President are elected at large, while representatives are chosen based on school and course membership.

The next Sanggunian General Elections are to be held on March 2026. You may view the information regarding the General Elections through the General Elections 2026 Page.

The Freshmen Elections are elections specifically conducted to choose Freshmen Course Representatives. These positions are for newly enrolled students at the Ateneo Higher Education Cluster to ensure their representation in the Sanggunian​.

The next Freshmen Elections are to be held on October 2026.

A mechanism used to recognize or revoke sectors or policies within the Sanggunian framework. It involves a petition and subsequent voting by the student body, requiring a majority decision (10%+1 of the student body) to take effect. Referenda are conducted under the guidance of the Commission on Elections and follow specific timelines and regulations.

You may view the information regarding the upcoming concurrent Sector Referendum through the Referendum Page.

Plebiscites are electoral processes through which amendments to the Sanggunian Constitution, major structural changes, or policies are approved or rejected by the student body. These decisions are typically administered by the Commission on Elections and require broad student participation to reflect the collective will​ of the studentry.

You may view the information regarding the upcoming university-wide plebiscite through the Plebiscite Page.

The 2026 Revised Electoral Code serves as the official legal framework governing all electoral processes within the Ateneo de Manila University. This document outlines the rules and procedures for elections, plebiscites, and referenda, ensuring the integrity and fairness of the democratic process. It includes provisions on the opening of electoral processes, eligibility criteria for candidacy, filing procedures, the number of seats per position, campaign regulations, and the handling of electoral offenses. Additionally, it emphasizes the principle of the ballot’s sanctity and specifies the timeline for filing electoral protests.

As the foundational document for all electoral activities, the Electoral Code also serves as a basis for crafting campaign manuals for specific elections. 

The Ateneo COMELEC has the exclusive right to interpreting, enforcing, and proposing amendments to the code as necessary. The most recent amendments and revisions to the Electoral Code were ratified in February 2026 through the Ateneo Student Judicial Court, reflecting the evolving needs of the university's electoral system in the post-pandemic context.

The 2019 Undergraduate Constitution is the supreme legal document that governs the Undergraduate Body of the Ateneo de Manila University and the governance of the Sanggunian ng mga Mag-aaral of the Ateneo de Manila University. It outlines the structure, powers, and responsibilities of the Sanggunian, ensuring the representation and rights of all undergraduate students. This constitution serves as the foundation for various legislative acts, including those related to student representation and governance.

COMELEC regularly references the Undergraduate Constitution to ensure that electoral processes align with the broader principles of student governance. It serves as a guiding document for upholding democratic principles and ensuring transparency and accountability in student representation.

Sanggunian Act No. 18, also known as the Course Representatives Act, elaborates on the duties and responsibilities of course representatives and school assemblies. It mandates the appointment of course representatives by home organizations or through petitions in cases of non-election. This act ensures that every course has adequate representation within the Sanggunian system.

COMELEC uses this law to guide processes such as the verification of home organizations, the petition process for course representatives, and the appointment of representatives in cases where elections are not conducted. It ensures inclusivity and amplifies student voices within their respective courses, and gives an avenue for courses without course representatives to have representation within the Sanggunian System.

Campaign manuals are supplementary documents crafted for specific elections to provide detailed guidelines for candidates and their campaign teams. These manuals outline rules on campaign paraphernalia, permissible activities, and the campaign timeline, ensuring fair competition among candidates. They are based on the 2024 Electoral Code and are tailored to address the unique needs of each electoral cycle.

COMELEC uses campaign manuals to standardize campaign practices and ensure compliance with the rules. These manuals help maintain the integrity of elections by providing clear instructions on what candidates and their supporters can and cannot do during the campaign period.