Strict rules to govern upcoming LUSU executive election

Derek Wall
Business Manager

Photo updated to include an erroneously excluded candidate.

As of today, expect to see some posters around campus vying for your vote in the next LUSU executive election — but not too many, as the rules for this election are shaping up to be pretty strict.

Last Friday, Chief Returning Officer (CRO) Daenis Camire met with candidates for LUSU President, Vice President Student Issues, and Vice President Finance.

Leaving nothing to chance, Camire laid down the rules and, given the controversial past of LUSU executive elections, seemed to be erring on the side of caution.

The rules include some technicalities that candidates felt needed clarification, such as the prohibition against sending out “mass messages” promoting a campaign — but the rule’s intent is unclear: was its purpose to prevent mass mailing in general (such as voluntary mailing lists), or just unsolicited mailings (spam)? Camire is expected to make a ruling interpreting the regulation before Monday.

Also, while the rules are clear that LUSU office space is off limits for campaigning, it’s not clear that candidates who are currently employed part-time or full-time working in LUSU offices can receive phone calls from people with questions about their platform.

Ultimately, the CRO stated, “If you’re unsure if what you’re doing is legal, then don’t do it.”

There are more people running for a spot on the executive then have been seen in recent years. There are 5 contenders running for president, including Slim Babay, Emma Brightwell, Daniel Bacsa, Dyki Nowash, and Emma Whiteside.

The VPSI candidates are David Cardiff, Emily Lauzon, and Daniel Legacy; VP Finance candidates are Steven Ackroyd, Ayoub Ansari, Drew Mikulasik, and David Scherbarth.

The campaign period begins on Monday, January 23 and polls are open on February 2, 7, and 8.

Tags: election, featured, lusu

Category: News