Students & Staff: Login
Students & Staff: Login
1.1 All candidates should fill in a nomination form from the SUSU website.
1.2 The nomination form must be completed in full and submitted in accordance with the procedure below, before the close of the nominations.
1.3 Only full members of The Union are eligible to stand in these elections. Please check that you are eligible before you submit the nomination form.
1.4 No person who holds the position of Sabbatical Officer, Trustee, Student Leader or Union Councillor may hold any other of those positions in the Union at the same time
1.5 The timetable for the elections is as follows:
This timeline will also be displayed on the web: www.susu.org/elections and on elections publicity.
2.1 Your nomination must be supported by two full members of the Union (it cannot be yourself) and their name and student identity number must be completed in full.
2.2 Candidates may not be nominated by any of the following:
2.3 Forms that are incomplete or late will be rejected at the discretion of the Returning Officer (RO), the Union President
2.4 Candidates must submit a copy of their manifesto (see 3. below) by the close of nominations
2.5 SUSU will supply pre-printed posters with a SUSU footer. You may print your own design on these posters provided the SUSU footer remains intact.
2.6 Candidates may make public reference to the fact that they are standing when the RO has accepted their nomination
2.7 A list of students nominated for each vacancy will be publicised to members by Elections Committee
3.1 Candidates must produce a candidate photo and a manifesto which will be featured on www.susu.org/elections.
3.2 Candidates also have the option of providing a video link to YouTube; see website for further information
3.3 All submitted manifestos must be approved by the RO before they are published
4.1 All candidates must attend the Candidates’ Briefing so that we can ensure you have all the information you need to understand the elections process
4.2 If you are unable to attend you must inform the RO in writing beforehand, and preferably nominate a representative to attend in your place
4.3 Candidates who do not attend the Candidates’ Briefing without explanation may be subject to disciplinary action as deemed appropriate by Elections Committee
5.1 The Campaigning period, including online, may not start until after the Candidates’ Briefing
5.2 Any campaigning that does not promote the spirit of the elections will be dealt with at the discretion of the RO
5.3 It is prohibited to make reference to SUSU staff members in campaigning
5.4 Any social networking groups you create must include the Deputy Returning Officer (VP Communications) as an administrator
5.5 The only use of mass messaging which is allowed is to mailing lists or groups where all members have agreed to receive Elections information. The use of club, society and any Union or University mailing lists is especially forbidden
5.6 Any online campaigning must be visible to all SUSU voters (e.g. you may post on walls of “open” groups, but not on “closed” groups)
5.7 Campaigners must not intimidate, harass or bully voters, especially at the point of actually voting. This includes attempts to influence a student’s vote whilst they are voting on a personal computer, mobile device or laptop
5.8 Elections Committee is working with each of the media departments to allow opportunities to promote the campaign and will notify campaign teams as soon as this is in place. This may be prior to official campaigning starting, at the discretion of the RO. You may not use any Union media in any way other than these
5.9 Candidates must remove all publicity as specified in this election’s timeline (1.5)
5.10 No unreasonably loud noise in the vicinity of University buildings
5.11 The use of vehicles for publicity is not allowed on campus
6.1 Elections Committee has agreed to allocate a publicity pack to each candidate, sabbatical candidates will receive a pack comprising of 50 A3 colour posters, Student leader candidates will receive a pack comprising of 20 A3 posters and Union Councillor candidates will receive a pack comprising of 5 A4 Posters.
6.2 No publicity for any candidate may be displayed before campaigning starts.
6.3 Posters must be stamped individually by the RO or their nominee before distribution.
6.4 Posters may only be placed on Union notice boards. If you wish to place posters in other venues (such as departments or Halls of Residence), where there are no Union notice boards, you must seek the approval of the relevant authority.
6.5 Stickers and flyers may not be used.
6.6 Any reference to the elections in Union Media outlets during campaigning must be balanced between all candidates across the campaign period up until polling opens; any reference during voting periods must be approved by the RO.
6.7 No sponsorship is allowed. No commercial sponsorship, including the use of commercial premises for publicity, is permitted.
7.1 All candidates must attend the Health & Safety briefing which will include a Health & Safety talk. In particular the following procedures must be adhered to:
8.1 VP Winchester and VP Sites candidates may claim a budget of up to £30 on their campaign
8.2 Student Leader candidates may claim a budget of up to £5 on their campaign.
8.3 There is no budget for Union Councillors positions.
9.1 Voting will be through online electronic voting.
9.2 Sabbatical and Student Leader elections will use the Alternative Vote (AV) system. Union Councillor elections will use the Single Transferrable Vote (STV)
9.3 Re-Open Nominations shall be a candidate in Sabbatical and Student Leader elections.
9.4 Should Re-Open Nominations win an election, a by-election shall be held.
10.1 As the voting is electronic, so is the count. The RO will oversee the electronic count.
10.2 The announcement of the results will take place in The Union
11.1 All campaigners are required to abide by the letter and spirit of all Election rules and procedures
11.2 The RO will investigate all complaints or breaches which are drawn to their attention
11.3 Elections Committee may be asked to be the first arbiter of such complaints or breaches
11.4 Any complaint should be submitted via returning@susu.org. A decision will be made as soon as possible with due time for investigation. Where deemed appropriate, the decision will be made available on the website. Complainants will remain anonymous
11.5 Elections Committee will deal with any complaints relating to the Election, up to the commencement of the count. Complaints received after this time should be submitted to the Union President who will deal with them in line with Union Standing Orders
12.1 In the event of a breach, the RO and Elections Committee will take whatever action is necessary including, but not restricted to:
12.2 The Standing Order governing elections requires that the ultimate sanctions include those listed below, but these may only be finally decided by a vote at Council:
