RAU Students’ Union Election Rules

Introduction

The following rules apply to the Students’ Union Elections and will be interpreted and enforced by the Returning Officer and Deputy Returning Officer. The Deputy Returning Officer is responsible for the good conduct and administration of elections and has the power to govern and interpret all matters relating to elections in accordance with the rules.

Rulings of the Deputy Returning Officer are subject to appeal to the Returning Officer. The Returning Officer is Peter Roberton, Charities Director at the NUS.  Any decision made by the Returning Officer is final.

Where rules or regulations refer to ‘candidate(s)’ this includes any member participating in election activity on behalf of a candidate.

Candidates are responsible for all actions related to their election activity.

Failure to comply with the Election Rules may lead to sanctions being imposed or disqualification of candidate(s). Ignorance of any rules will not be accepted as an acceptable excuse for rule breaks.

These rules may be subject to change from time to time by the Deputy Returning Officer.  All amendments will be shared with the Returning Officer.

Election Rules

Nominations:

1. All nominations must be submitted through the approved channel before the specified deadline. No nominations will be accepted outside of this time frame unless there are extenuating circumstances.  Nominations will be only accepted after the deadline at the discretion of the Deputy Returning Officer.

2. A completed nomination will consist of an online nomination form, including a name, photograph and manifesto. The candidate manifesto deadline will be after the nomination deadline, allowing candidates additional time to make changes post nomination deadline.

3. Candidates may nominate themselves under the name registered with the University or by an alternative name by which they are commonly known. Such an alternative name must be clearly specified on the nomination form and will be accepted at the discretion of the Deputy Returning Officer.

4. Nominations from students who have been subject to any disciplinary action for misconduct under the Student Disciplinary Procedure of the University (excluding academic disciplinaries) are not valid and will be rejected by the Deputy Returning Officer.

5. All candidates are entitled to support from Union staff in preparing their manifestos.  Support will be provided during the specified time period.  Candidates should ensure they request support in a timely fashion to ensure they meet the Manifesto Deadline.

6. Only 3^rd year or postgraduate students may nominate themselves for the role of President.

Conduct:

7. Campaigning may only take place once nominations have been announced.

8. The general principle is that all candidates are expected to adhere to the values of the Students’ Union and the University when conducting their campaigns.  Any activity which contradicts these values may result in disciplinary action being taken.  Examples of such are:

1. The use of discriminatory and/or derogatory language
2. Offensive or abusive behaviour and language

9. For the avoidance of doubt, any activity that is illegal or against byelaws and/or regulations of the University or Students’ Union is automatically deemed to be in breach of the election rules. Breaking election rules is considered a breach of the Union Code of Conduct and as such may result in disciplinary action.

10. Candidates are expected to maintain the principles of a free and fair election (A free and fair election is defined as one in which coercion is comparatively uncommon).

11. Corrupt practices within the election will not be tolerated and may lead to sanctions or disqualification from the election.  Any decision relating to disqualification will be made by the Deputy Returning Officer. Corrupt practices are defined as but not limited:

1. Giving money or any gift to a voter to secure votes.
2. Giving, providing, or paying, wholly or in part, for any food or drink for any voter to secure votes.
3. Use of or threatening to make use of any intimidation or force, violence, or restraint toward anyone in relation to the election, either by a candidate or someone acting on the candidate’s behalf.
4. Falsification of any document or information that is a requirement of the election procedures.
5. Removal of campaign the campaign materials of other candidates from campus
6. Any other serious misconduct or behaviour that undermines the conduct of the elections as determined by the Deputy Returning Officer, including, but not limited to, discriminatory behaviours and online harassment.

12. Once a voter has entered the voting process, no candidate can handle any device and candidates should not invade a voter’s personal space. Candidates cannot ask any voter to prove that they have voted. 

13. Candidates may not use any University or Students’ Union data lists/sets for the purposes of elections. 

14. Students’ Union staff are not allowed to participate in any campaigns or show any preference to any candidate(s) in their role as a member of Students’ Union staff. This includes Sabbatical Officer social media accounts.

15. University staff are not allowed to participate in any campaigns or show any preference to any candidate(s) in their role as a member of university staff.

16. Candidates are expected to run campaigns maintaining respect for both other candidates and the process.

17. After the close of voting all candidates are required to perform a clean-up of campuses ensuring all election materials are removed. Candidates may only remove their own materials prior to this point.

Financial Procedures:

18. Records of all campaign expenses incurred by a candidate must be kept and must be emailed to su@rausu.co.uk by the end of the Campaign Period, along with corresponding receipts.

19. Candidates may only spend a total of £60 in their election campaign from their own funds. Candidates may not spend additional money on their campaign in addition to this allowance. Candidates may use the SU to print materials subject to a reasonable limit agreed by the Deputy Returning Officer

20. Candidates cannot combine their budget in order to reduce the cost of campaign materials. Each candidate must purchase their own publicity materials.

21. Scrutiny of candidate spending will take place before the results are processed. If this is not possible, results will be provisional until all deliberations have been completed.

Complaints Procedure:

1. All members are entitled to lodge a complaint should they feel any of the rules have been breached.

2. All complaints must be lodged in writing with the Deputy Returning Officer, and must refer to the rule which has been breached. No other form of complaint will be considered.

3. Complaints regarding conduct within the election must be received prior to the close of voting

4. Complaints about the vote count must be received within 4 hours of the vote closing.

5. Complaints will be considered by the Deputy Returning Officer as soon as practically possible. 

6. The Deputy Returning Officer may also act without receipt of a complaint if they deem it necessary. 
7. Candidate(s) will have the right of appeal to the Returning Officer.

8. Any ruling of the Returning Officer will be final, and candidate(s) have no further right of appeal.