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 spam, 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 messaging on private group chats or pages must include a phrase signposting to other candidates in the election, such as “you can see all candidates running in this election and their manifestos on the Union website” and should be in English or have an English translation.
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, however, candidates are permitted to set up campaigning social media accounts, without following any new accounts, after nominations close, and before the manifesto deadline.
Candidates must obtain permission from the building manager (or equivalent) to place campaign materials on non-designated poster boards in departments and halls of residence.
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 must declare to the Elections Team all social media accounts they intend to use for campaigning at the point of submitting their manifesto. Candidates are required to declare every account they will use, regardless of whether they choose for them to be published or remain unpublished on eVoting.
Students running for club and society roles must join the relevant club or society before the opening of nominations when positions are being elected for the next academic year, or before the close of nominations for positions being elected in the current academic year.
Any previous positions, experience, or achievements a candidate claims in their manifesto must be factually accurate, subject to the discretion of the Returning Officers.
Student groups and individuals in elected Union roles must not use resources or channels available through those roles or groups to endorse any candidate. This includes, but is not limited to, meetings, mailing lists, social media, and chat platforms.
Candidates must only run for a maximum of:
Candidates may run for multiple types of role at once, but must not exceed the limit within each category.