Banners, signs and fliers of Associated Students Organization election candidates kicked off official campaigning Tuesday.

ASO candidates are gearing up with high hopes and ambitious plans to educate and involve EC students in issues that impact the student body.

“I think I would make a good candidate because I have been in student government for a long time and I feel like I could benefit the school by implementing a signature program and by providing incentives for students to be more involved in student government,” Ivana Poste, vice president candidate, said.

Nine executive office positions and eight senator positions are open for election.

The open executive positions are president, vice president, director of academic affairs, director of finance, director of student services, student trustee, public relations officer, region 7 representative and student services officer.

The student senate positions available are senator of behavioral and social sciences division, senator of business division, senator of fine arts division, senator of health sciences and athletics division, senator of humanities division, senator of industry and technology division, senator of mathematical sciences division and senator of natural sciences division.

According to the by-laws of EC, the role of an executive officer is to act as a liaison between the ASO and appropriate administrative officers of the college.

They also provide leadership and guidance to the ASO in their specific area of authority and must serve on two or more administrative or ASO committees.

The duty of an executive officer is to properly represent the student body.

“I think I would be a good candidate because I have experience in student government and I am also a business major. I can use what I have learned in my classes to help student finance,” Samuel Hong, director of finance candidate, said.

The responsibilities of senators include communicating between the ASO and their respective division councils.

The division council is a group formulated to represent and provide for the wants and the needs of all students whose declared major falls under a specific academic division.

“My main interest is to become involved in student government myself and to help to inspire others as well,” Kelly Humphrey, senator of mathematical sciences division candidate, said.

“I would like to find guest speakers that can inspire students in my division.”

Elections are May 12-15 and will take place on the Library Lawn from 9:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. and from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. in the Activities Center.

Students can learn more about candidates and their statementsby visiting the ASO website: http://www.elcamino.edu/studentservices/activities/aso/where their statements will be on display at the polls.

Students can talk to ASO candidates at the Candidates Rally on May 13 on the Activities Center Outdoor Stage from 1 p.m. to 2 p.m.