Cymraeg

Election Rules

 

Key People

Jacob Webb: Deputy Returning Officer

The Deputy Returning Officer (DRO) is your first point of contact for any question, queries or complaints. All complaints must go through the complaints form. The DRO will refer matters to the NUS Returning Officer to make rulings. To contact the DRO, email union.elections@aber.ac.uk.

NUS Returning Officer

The Returning Officer (RO) oversees the election process ensuring it is fair and open

Key Dates

Rules will take effect as soon as it can be reasonably determined that an individual intends to proceed with their candidacy.A candidates Briefing will take place after standing has closed. Please read these rules before campaigning as you will still be held to them.

Standing

  1. To stand you must complete the online standing form at www.abersu.co.uk/elections
  2. To stand you must include your name, student number and university email.
  3. No member may stand for more than one role of the same type (Student Trustee, Sabbatical Officer, Volunteer Officer) in the same election.
  4. The Union will organise a Candidate Briefing at the close of standing in the Students’ Union. At the briefing the DRO will deliver a briefing on elections rules and brief candidates on relevant updates. It is expected that you make every effort to attend. A lack of understanding of the rules will not be an accepted excuse for breaking the rules. If you are unable to make it to this meeting, you should ensure they arrange to speak to the DRO before campaigning.

Campaigning

  1. Candidates are responsible for the actions of campaigners who support their campaign for election, collectively known as a campaigns team. A campaigner is defined as someone who would reasonably thought to be acting on behalf of a candidate to further the election of that candidate. 
  2. Candidates must take all reasonable steps to ensure their campaigners actions comply with the campaign rules and must be able to demonstrate this in the event of a complaint against them. 
  3. Candidates and their campaigners should only undertake campaign activity which others have equal opportunity to do.
  4. Candidates and their campaigners should conduct themselves in a way that is respectful to others and must not engage in behaviour which is threatening, harassing or risking the wellbeing and safety of others. 
  5. Candidates and their campaigners must not use University or Students’ Union resources to campaign with except where explicitly permitted by the DRO. 
  6. Candidates and their campaigners must not state that they (or the candidate they support) have been endorsed by the Union or by individual members of Union staff. 
  7. Candidates and their campaigners must not cast, or attempt to cast a vote on behalf of another student. 
  8. Bribery of voters must not be used as part of any campaign.
  9. Candidates and their campaigners must adhere to all existing wider laws and rules which govern individual and student behaviour.
  10. Club and Society endorsements may only be made after the close of nominations and the announcement of candidates. Student group endorsements must follow that group’s established decision-making procedures, and candidates in the election may not participate in the vote.
  11. Only current Aberywtyth University Students are permitted to campaign in the election. 
  12. Full-Time Officers must take leave if they wish to campaign during normal office hours. 
  13. Full-Time Officers are prohibited from using any resources associated with their current role to support an election campaign. 
  14. During the election period, Full-Time Officers may not carry out any duties or activities that could be seen as supporting their re-election, except for tasks that are part of their usual role and have been consistently undertaken throughout the year with prior approval from the DRO

Budget

  1. The campaign budgets will be set by the DRO and will be communicated at the candidates briefing. These will be reimbursed by the Union on the provision of receipts. You can submit your expense form one up until one hour after voting closes. Any reinbursment requests after this time will not be allowed. 
  2. Candidates must not exceed their budget limits.
  3. Candidates must retain a written list of campaign costs. Candidates should be ready to supply these if requested by the DRO.
  4. All materials used by a candidate must be included within their statement of expenditure alongside receipts or a reasonable estimated market rate.
  5. All items not purchased but used for campaign purposes must be valued by the DRO.
  6. The exception to the rule above are materials and resources available to all e.g. the free use of social media sites. This applies only if the item is free for everyone. For example, a pre-owned megaphone cannot be used unless it has been authorised. Any approved material must be included in your campaign budget. Please speak to the DRO for clarification.

Count and Announcment 

  1. The count shall be supervised by the Deputy Returning Officer or their nominee.
  2. The results of Union voting will only come into effect once the Deputy Returning Officer has certified the result is the accurate outcome of a free and fair procedure and all complaints and appeals have been resolved. 

Complaints and Appeals 

  1. The RO and DRO will take sole responsibility for interpretation of these rules and Union Bye-Laws.
  2. For a complaint regarding an alleged breach of the Bye-Laws to be investigated, it must be made in writing using the appropriate online form to the DRO. The complaint must specify clear grounds referencing these rules. This complaints procedure may only be used for matters relating to election conduct as set out in the Bye-laws and rules. All other complaints must be submitted through the Undeb Aber complaints process.
  3. The DRO will investigate complaints and refer matters to the RO for decision.
  4. The RO can decide to act based on the outcome of decisions. This can include halting the election for specific posts, referring a matter to be dealt with by the Union or University disciplinary procedures or disqualifying candidates.
  5. The RO’s rulings shall take immediate effect.
  6. Complaints must be received before the count begins, and no later than one hour after the close of voting.
  7. Complaints about the count must be made in writing using the appropriate online form to the DRO before the announcement of results.
  8. Appeals must be made in writing to the DRO no later than 12pm on the day after the decision of the RO has been communicated to that candidate. Appeals can only be made by candidates party to sanctions brought about as a result of a complaint.
  9. Appeals must specify clear grounds referencing that interpretation of the election rules above is unreasonable, correct procedure has not been followed, that the RO or DRO has been prejudiced, biased or failed to fully consider the available evidence.

 

A detailed breakdown of the rules and regulations which oversee elections can be found in the Elections Bye-Law available on the Undeb Aberystwyth website.