His laugh is infectious and his humour is coarse but Dawood Patel is known as one of the genuine characters on the Leicester uni campus. | "He becomes more paranoid as the ballet box closes at 21:00. Has he done enough campaigning?" | | Tim Sansom |
I joined him for his campaigning to be the Campaigns officer in the Student鈥檚 Union during the next academic year. Thursday, 10:30 I join Dawood outside the Student Union. After all the bravado over the previous weeks, I find the usually bubbly campaigner in pensive mood. As the spring sunshine beats down onto the concrete steps of the Union, he is very cagey about his chances. Dawood even feels uncomfortable standing beside the student union sign in a way that suggests that he does not belong here. 12:30
 | | Dawood with his manifesto |
Dawood is well known around the campus for his vivacious character and ability to make a joke to cheer even the most moody student up. Dawood tries a little of his unique brand of humour with some unsuspecting students but they collar him over his manifesto. A particularly forceful Mastermind styled inquisition takes place regarding non-alcoholic drink availability in the union but Dawood seems to bluff his way through. 14:30 In a General Montgomery styled speech from the Leicester University car park, Dawood tries to rally the apathetic students to cast their important votes. From the manicured flowerbeds, Dawood screams out his campaigning plans include better safety for students in Victoria Park, and safer sex. There is some cheering from some other campaigners. Dawood is a popular man although as the afternoon drags on his campaign resembles more of a desperate one-man-band. 16:30
 | | Discussing his views |
Dawood has been away from the campaigning stump for a crucial forty minutes. His reasoning is not clear. Dawood looks tired and desperately wants something to eat. He seems distracted but summons up enough energy to deliver another rabble rousing speech to anyone who wants to hear. 20:30 I find Dawood more alive than in the previous hours. His friend has turned up and they have gathered a few votes since I last saw him. Dawood is certain that his core vote has turned out for him although he becomes more paranoid as the ballet box closes at 21:00. Has he done enough campaigning? 10:30 In the elaborate 1950s deco of the Union's Queens Hall, I feel that there is a need to try and chill my chosen campaigner out. As the ballot boxes are carried into the hall, we sit on the stage on the Union's Queen Hall and talk. Dawood is worried about his friend who is standing for the student newspaper editorship. As the votes are counted, Dawood leaves the building again, and I am wondering whether he experienced more tension than what he expected. Friday, 03:05
 | | Dawood |
In the suffocating air bubble which is circulating the whole hall, the counters decide to give up for the night. The rest of the ballots, including Dawood's count will be countered tomorrow. I have been finding it difficult to keep my eyes open and wonder whether I am getting too old for these late nights. Dawood's excitement needs to be kept in check till Friday at 12pm. 13:45 Dawood has won with 317 votes! After 11 hours of campaigning, and a sleepless night, Dawood Patel has been confirmed as a Campaigns Officer for the Leicester University Students Union in the 2007- 2008 academic year! The old bubbly student returns after 24 hours absence as he sets to work on his campaigns. I am pleased for Dawood, and not least because this article would have lost some of its bite if I had backed a looser. However Dawood knows that he can not bask in election glory for ever. The hard work starts there and he has to perform to his very best ability during the coming academic year. | 
