Make sure to read the election information for any additional context and rulings by the DRO.
Any activity or campaign material that is illegal, breaches University rules, policies and codes or Union bye-laws, regulations, policies or constitution or GDPR is deemed to be in breach of the election rules.
The University is still a place of work for students and staff alike during the election period. Candidates must not do anything to disrupt the normal operations of the University or the Union during campaigning.
Candidates and their campaign team must not pressure, harass, coerce, bribe or use intimidation to persuade someone to vote or whom to vote for.
Candidates must respect the right of the RO/DRO to suspend the elections in the event of a circumstance beyond the Union’s control.
Lecture shout outs (announcements by a candidate at the beginning or end of a lecture) are prohibited unless permission is provided by the lecturer.
Academic-related, University-administered channels (e.g., Teams) must not be used for campaigning without permission of the lecturer or organiser.
Any expenditure must be on activity or items that all candidates could reasonably have had the opportunity to buy or carry out.
All campaign material, including any paid for social media advertising, and University printing, must be accounted for and spend declared, with a suitable receipt.
No candidates’ campaign material may appear before the beginning of campaigning as stated in the Elections timeline.
All campaign material must include the official Union-provided Elections Banner.
Permission must be sought when posters are placed on non-designated poster boards in departments and halls of residences.
All campaign material must be in English only or have an English translation of anything said in a foreign language, with the English translation being equal or greater in prominence.
Publicity stunts must not occur on the Queen’s Lawn, Queen’s Lawn Terrace, Prince’s Gardens, or Dalby Court without the consent of the University Secretary. They should never be offensive or dangerous – including contravening Health & Safety considerations. A risk assessment must have been submitted and approved, and appropriate permissions must be sought.
Candidates and their campaign team must not tamper with the campaign material of other candidates nor that of non-election related events or issues.
Campaign material, including adhesives, and activities must not cause damage to University or Union property.
Candidates should declare their social media accounts when submitting their manifesto.
Any messaging on private group chats or pages must include the phrase “you can see all candidates running in this election and their manifestos on the Union website”.
Individuals must only endorse candidates in a personal capacity, and not through their Union roles or external roles they may hold.