These rules aim to ensure that candidates are elected in a free and fair manner, with an intention to create a level playing field in terms of resources and opportunities available to all candidates. The Deputy Returning Officer and Returning Officer will use these rules, alongside the regulations outlined in Byelaw 4 of the Union’s Byelaws, to make any necessary judgement on candidate conduct during the election process.
If in doubt, we advise you to run your campaign ideas (in complete confidence) past the Deputy Returning Officer before you put them into action.
A. General
- The elections will be overseen by the Returning Officer, who is Alison Kennell, University Deputy Secretary. The Returning Officer will delegate responsibility to the Deputy Returning Officer, who is John Goodwin (LBSU Head of Membership Engagement).
- Both individuals are empowered to investigate any matters related to the election, infringement of election rules or complaints regarding candidate conduct. If they find that there has been an infringement they may, depending on the severity of the infringement:
a. Warn candidates that any future infringement may result in disqualification
b. Disqualify candidates from the elections.
- All candidates must attend the compulsory briefing session.
B. Core rules
- Candidates and campaigners must not undertake any campaigning activity which others could not also reasonably do.
- Candidates and campaigners must allow voters to cast their ballot freely and privately, and must not communicate with voters in any way while they are casting their ballot.
- Candidates must not exceed their budget limits, and may not accept material donations or endorsements that would not be available to other candidates.
- Candidates shall be responsible for the actions of anyone campaigning on their behalf.
- These rules exist in addition to any other rules and codes of conduct that students are expected to follow as a student of Leeds Beckett University and a member of Leeds Beckett Students’ Union.
C. Publicity and campaigning
1. Posters/banners etc. may only be placed in the areas around the campus that have been agreed with the University. These areas will be specified on the online candidate hub and at the Candidate Briefings. Candidates must ensure that all publicity is removed from campus by 6pm on Weds 8 Mar.
2. The Deputy Returning Officer reserves the right to set a limit on the number and size of posters that each candidate may put up on campus, dependent on space available. This limit will be specified on the online candidate hub and at the Candidate Briefings.
3. Campaigning is strictly forbidden in the libraries and areas designated for quiet study.
4. Candidates are responsible for the design and printing of any posters and flyers they wish to use, and any costs associated with these must be declared and have receipts provided for.
D. Finances
- Candidates for Full-time Officer roles may spend up to £75 on campaign expenses, which will be reimbursed by the Students’ Union. For Community Leader and NUS delegate roles, candidates may spend up to £25 on campaign expenses, which will also be reimbursed. The Deputy Returning Officer reserves the right to reduce this amount in the event that the number of candidates standing exceeds expectations.
- A written breakdown of how this allowance has been spent on campaign resources must be emailed to elections@leedsbeckettsu.co.uk by 6pm on Weds 8 Mar. Any queries will be investigated as required, and failure to account for campaign spend may result in disqualification.
- If no money has been spent, candidates must still declare this as described above.
- Candidates must also submit receipts for everything they have spent on their campaigns by 6pm on Weds 8 Mar. These can be emailed to elections@leedsbeckettsu.co.uk
E. Complaints
- All complaints regarding candidate conduct must be submitted via the official online complaints form, no later than one hour after the close of voting, and will include the following information:
- Name and contact details of person making complaint (anonymous
complaints will not be considered)
- Name of person being complained about
- Details of incident (including time and date)
- Details of any witnesses
- Details of which rules have been broken
- Details of the action requested
- All complaints will be investigated by the Deputy Returning Officer, who will consider the facts and make an appropriate decision. This ruling will be communicated to all parties involved and included in the annual Returning Officer’s Elections Report.
- Any decisions made by the Deputy Returning Officer can be appealed via a written statement to the Returning Officer (and must include factual information as to why the original decision is considered unjust).
- Any decisions made by the Returning Officer are final.
- Any complaints received after the deadline of one hour after voting closes will not be investigated as part of the elections process, but may be considered under any of the Students’ Union’s or University’s complaints procedures if appropriate.
F. Results
- Results of the election will be announced no earlier than 24 hours after the close of voting, at a time and place to be announced by LBSU, and will be final.
- Results will also be published on the LBSU website after being announced.
G. rContingency
In the event of an IT or other technological issue that impacts on students’ ability to access the online voting system, every effort will be made to provide an alternative. Where this is not possible, the Returning Officer may make a decision to either conclude or extend the voting period depending on the circumstances. The Returning Officer will consider the following points in any decisions related to this:
- No candidates should be unfairly disadvantaged by the course of action taken
- Every effort should be made to maximise the opportunity for students to vote
- Any course of action needs to consider the practicalities of delivery