{shortcode-5364a07e1bedb9b59e1c3856280d5bcc4593b2eb} More than 100 Harvard students declared their candidacy for 44 available seats on the Undergraduate Council ahead of this week’s voting period, according to Matthew C. Estes ’18, who chairs the Council’s Election Commission.

The number of candidates this year—103—marks a one-person uptick from last year’s 102 candidates.

Freshmen comprise most of this year’s candidates with 60 students vying for only 12 spots. The most competitive race will take place in Crimson Yard, where 21 students will compete for three spots. Sixteen students are seeking three spots in Ivy Yard.

In the Houses, the most competitive races will happen in Cabot, Currier, Eliot, and Kirkland Houses, where five students in each of the Houses are seeking three spots. Additionally, in Pforzheimer House, four students are running for two spots.

Meanwhile, non-competitive races will take place in Dudley House, Dunster House, Quincy House, Lowell House, Adams House, Winthrop House, and Mather House.

UC President Yasmin Z. Sachee ’18 said she thinks the current political climate in the world and on campus makes it important for people to get involved in student government.

“Especially in times like now, where there’s so many things going on in our world and on Harvard’s campus...we should speaking up and representing our peers,” she said.

The election period begins on Monday at 12 p.m. and ends on Friday at 12 p.m. Winners will be announced Friday afternoon. The new Council will first convene on Sept. 24, when they will likely pass an annual budget.

—Staff writer Andrew J. Zucker can be reached at andrew.zucker@thecrimson.com. Follow him on Twitter @AndrewJZucker.