News
The Union Elections
In response to allegations of controversy in the Union elections the Deputy Returning Officer has released the following report on the elections.
Report on the Union Elections March 30th 2011
The Union elections 2011 occurred with several difficulties, all of which I addressed either alone or alongside consultation with Al Powell, our NUS regional organiser and returning officer for the elections. Every ruling or decision I took was to ensure that the elections were free and fair to all UEA students. If this was not the case then Al would have stepped in as his role of Returning Officer.
The results are as follows… we had 1774 students vote in the election. The Union went on tour and visted other locations such as INTO, the library & the Edith Cavell building. Unfortunately despite of our efforts we did not increase turnout over last year's.
Academic Officer...Kirsty Callaghan
Communications Officer...Matt Myles
Community and Student Rights Officer...Tash Ross
Finance Officer...Rob Bloomer
Non Portfolio Officer... Hannah Dunlop, Liam McCafferty & Duncan Smith
Environment Officer... William Lacey
Ethical Issues Officer... Allanah Bayliss
LGBT Officer... Hayley Kearns
International Student Officer... Samuel
Students with Disabilities Officer... Luke Jenning Hatt
NUS Delegates… Liam McCafferty, Megan Evans, Tash Ross & Duncan Smith.
I will now address the issues which arose during the elections.
Early on the morning of Thursday 24th March it was brought to my attention that one candidate was missing from the academic officer ballot paper. At that time I closed that election, resolved the issue and reopened the voting for that election at 10am. After that I contacted the 57 people who voted on the ballot I had to close, and told them that their vote was not counted and they would have to revote for their Academic Officer. On Monday morning I contacted those who hadn’t recast their vote and reminded them that they had to do so to be counted. Considering that a significant number of these people re-cast their vote it is the opinion of Al and myself that the message was successfully sent and all measures were taken to ensure these voters recast their vote thus it was felt that this did not impact the elections.
On Friday 25th we had received a number of complaints and comments from both candidates and students that they had not received a voting token. After informing the Returning Officer I undertook an investigation which revealed that the university had sent inaccurate data to our online voting company which missed out several hundred students. Simultaneously it was discovered that the voting company had encountered an importing error which missed several students off the membership. Once all these issues were resolved approximately 970 students were added and were sent voting tokens (emails). To compensate for this and for the sake of fairness I decided to extend the voting period by 24 hours to give these 970 students every opportunity to vote, a decision that Al approved of.
In regards to issues of preferential treatment of candidates I would like to express categorically that I did not provide any support to any candidates that I would not extend to any other, in any of the elections throughout the process. This support includes advice and nothing else. A complaint was made to Al regarding the issue of a facebook group and a facebook fan page. He undertook an investigation which included scrutinising myself and my activities throughout the elections including discussing it with other independent officials and came to the conclusion that I had not shown any preferential treatment to any candidates and it would not impact the results of the elections.
When scrutinising the budgets of the candidates it was discovered that one candidate for the NUS conference position had exceeded their budget Al and I consulted with the other candidates in the race and it was decided that because he broke a rule he was to be removed from the elections in accordance with our constitution.
I do not feel that this election was run in an unfair or uneven manner so the results stand.
Unfortunately it is my position to announce that two candidates have removed themselves from the elections, Kirsty Callaghan has decided not to take office next year and has informed me of the following statement which has been included on the bottom of this statement.
Natasha Ross has decided to step down from her NUS Delegate position.
After discussing the matter with Al Powell our Returning Officer to ensure the democratic nature of the elections I have decided to include the position of Academic Officer in a by-election for the roles alongside the by-election for the un-filled posts on the Student Officer Committee to be conducted after Easter in accordance to item 131 and item 5.4 of appendix D of the Union’s constitution. SOC appointed Duncan Smith as DRO for this by-election so any questions regarding it please contact him on [email protected]
However because Tash withdrew her nomination before the results were announced and because the deadline for the NUS delegation spot to be filled is so close and under item 3.2.1 of appendix D of the Union’s constitution we are required to have nominations open for at least ten days I will suggest that we will recount the NUS delegate position with Tash removed from the election then use that result. Al Powell is happy to allow the reuse of the results subject to guidance from Council.
Does anyone have any questions regarding the elections or the conduct of it? please contact the DRO on [email protected]
I received no complaints about the manner of the count however i will allow complainst for the count until a week past the close of the count, which is wednesday 6th April at 5pm.
I have several recommendations that I feel would improve the whole elections process, from reviewing our eVoting system to a greater integration with the University Portal. However I have not had the opportunity to formalise these into a document and intend to complete them and submit them via the new Communications Officer elect.
Thank you to everyone who was involved with the elections, from running a campaign to voting for your candidates.
Tom Dolton,
Communications Officer & Deputy Returning Officer
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Kirst Callaghan's Statement
Last December, I was shortlisted for a British Association of American Studies (BAAS) award, comprising a tuition fee waiver for a two year Masters and Graduate Assistantship stipend at the University of Wyoming.
Following an interview in January, I was told the same day that someone else had been chosen. I then decided to run for Academic Officer, something I had been considering since my first year at UEA.
I learnt a great deal while campaigning and was excited and hopeful about what I would work towards if elected. However, on Monday, when voting was already well underway and in its final few days, I received an email from BAAS informing me that circumstances had changed and that they had chosen me to receive the award. This obviously came as a complete shock to me, and if I had had any idea whatsoever that this could happen, I would not have put myself in this position – it would not have been fair. However, now this has happened, I have decided to take the opportunity provided to me by BAAS. This is not a decision I have taken lightly. I am incredibly appreciative for the support of UEA students and know that they will be well-represented by their Academic Officer next year.
Thanks,
Kirsty
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The Returning Officer's Response to the facebook Complaints
Dear XXXX,
Thank you for bringing these concerns to me as Returning Officer for the Union of UEA Elections 2011. I take all complaints seriously and investigate at every occasion to identify certain aspects, such as if there is substance to a complaint and likewise what impact this may have upon the validity of the cross campus ballot.
Because of the severity of the complaints I had to take my time to ascertain the levels of any wrong doing. Having completed an investigation into both of your concerns I am writing to inform you that I am happy and satisfied with the conduct of both the Union and Tom Dolton
All candidates have been offered time with candidates and additional training hosted either by Union officers or myself. Naturally, some candidates will have existing friendships with officers or staff members, and this reflects the success and strength of the Union.
On the matters you have raised I see no infringements consequently I shall not be making a ruling on the matters.
Thank you again for contacting me and I hope you continue to support and participate in the activities of the Union,
Kind regards,
Al Powell.