All Union Elections are governed by the Unions bye-laws. To read this document click here.

Rules and Regulations for the 2017 elections are as follows:

 

Can Candidates form a slate with other Candidates?

Candidates are allowed to form slates. A slate is a group of candidates who decide to run jointly in the elections, share campaign material, and promote each other to voters. Running in a slate has benefits and draw backs and it is up to candidates to think carefully before entering one.  For example, candidates will be held jointly responsible for breaches of regulations made by any members of their slate and of the slates’ campaign team.

 

Can students run a RON Campaign?

Any student may run a RON campaign but they must declare prior to running the campaign to elections committee which position they wish to run the campaign for. No RON campaign should allude to any individual candidate, as with all campaigns.

 

When does the campaign period begin?

To ensure that elections follow a sound process and to stop candidates having an unfair advantage, the campaign period starts after the last Candidates’ Meeting has finished (Thursday 2^nd March 6pm). You must not campaign until then.  Failure to follow the procedure may result in disciplinary action being taken against you by Elections Committee.

You are, however, are allowed to approach students you know and tell them you plan to run in the election on an individual basis i.e. via private message, e-mail, and face to face conversation to seek their support for when you start campaigning.

 

How can I approach students who wish to vote?

Voting is the most important part of elections; it is necessary that everyone involved in elections, candidates, campaigners, staff and, most importantly, voters feel respected during that process.

Below are a few simple rules you and your campaign team have to follow to ensure you conduct yourselves in a fair and friendly way.

 

No candidate or campaigner shall

• approach another student and request or seek, by whatever means, personal information required to cast a vote;
• cast, or attempt to cast a vote or encourage another person to cast a vote on behalf of another student;
• crowd or chase individuals to ballot stations;
• harass or pressure any members to vote; you must leave students alone if they show no interest in voting;
• attempt to influence a student who is engaged in the act of voting
• stand over students when they are voting or help other students in any way to cast a vote

 

Are there areas in which both I and my campaigners cannot campaign?

The following areas are prohibited from candidates and campaigners from campaigning. No leaflets can be left in these areas, any found will be destroyed. No candidate or campaign team can have any voting device in these areas. Candidates and campaigners breaching these rules will face disciplinary, as part of the election process.

• Library (this also includes the adjourning corridor at the City Campus)
• The Union Office Space
• University Bars and shops
• Unique (Sports Centre) unless you have asked permission of the clubs’ executive team to attend their training
• The Prayer Room.
• University Halls of Residence
• University social media groups, or mailing groups

 

Are there are any rules regarding conduct, behaviour and campaigning?

All candidates and campaigners must represent the UBU in a positive light – please remember that you are acting as ambassadors for the UBU during your campaigning period and your behaviour will reflect upon the whole UBU.

The following rules must be adhered to throughout the election period. Candidates must take responsibility for the actions of their campaign team, and will be held responsible for their actions.  Failure to comply with these rules will result in disciplinary action, as part of the election process.

• All candidates and campaigners are expected adhere to both the University and the UBU code of conducts with regard to behaviour
• Negative campaigning is forbidden. No candidates or their campaign teams may negatively mention or negatively allude to other candidates.
• Candidates and their campaign teams are expected to be respectful of cultural and personal differences at all times.
• Students employed by UBU are under no circumstances are allowed to carry out any campaigning activities, or show preference for a candidate when on duty.
• No candidate, or member of their campaign team will harass, bribe or intimidate other candidates, campaigners, students or staff members
• No Candidates or member of their campaign will remove other candidates campaigning materials.
• Students may only campaign for one candidate at once. There must be a clear break between campaigning for different candidates.
• Students may campaign for more than one candidate at a given time, only in the case when the candidates are in an officially declared slate.

 

What are the rules regarding publicity and promotion of candidates’ campaigns?

Each candidate is responsible for producing and distributing their own campaigning materials. It is recommended that when displaying your promotional material in a designated space, that all candidates and campaigners seek permission before you place materials in any University building. Failure to do so is likely to result in the SU receiving complaints and your materials being removed by the University staff members. The following rules and regulations apply to all candidates and campaigners:

 

Candidates and campaigners are prohibited from using the Union’s resources (email lists, paper, printing, UBU Social Media) for your campaign. This includes current officers, and elected representatives running a  re-election campaign.

 

Only posters approved by elections committee may be displayed around campus. No stickers are to be put on University property. No chalk is allowed to be used on University property.

 

Candidates should only do what other candidates have the opportunity to do.  This means that any ‘sponsorship’ or ‘favours’ must be available to all candidates e.g. getting a family friend who owns their own business to print you a load of t-shirts for free.  Candidates have the responsibility of making whoever is offering to help them aware of this;

 

UBU Media shall be permitted to report on the election provided this is done in an unbiased manner.

 

UBU Media may not indicate a preference for any candidate above any other candidate in any UBU election.