The Returning Officer The Returning Officer shall be ultimately responsible for calling all Union elections, and for their free and fair running. The Returning Officer shall be responsible for enforcing these regulations. The Returning Officer shall be selected by the Union’s Board of Trustees and jointly approved by the Governing Council of the University and Student Council. The Returning Officer shall be a suitable person, who demonstrates the knowledge necessary to fulfil the role, and shall be independent of the Union. For clarity, the Returning Officer may not be a full member of the Students’ Union or a member of Union staff. The Returning Officer shall oversee all aspects of the elections process. They shall be responsible for the conduct of the count and the subsequent declaration of results. The Returning Officer will submit a report on the conduct of the elections to the Student Council and the University following each election. The report shall where necessary identify what steps are required to resolve outstanding issue(s) and ensure future elections are free and fair. Deputy Returning Officer The Senior Staff Member of the Union (or their nominee) shall act as the Deputy Returning Officer. The Deputy Returning Officer shall be responsible for assisting the Returning Officer in carrying out their duties. Nominations Nominations for posts shall be valid only for candidates who complete and submit a nomination form prior to the close of nominations. Forms will be checked by the Deputy Returning Officer before the nomination is accepted. Nomination forms submitted after the close of nominations shall not be valid. Announcement of Candidates The Returning Officer or Deputy shall publish the following on the Union website: The names of all candidates submitting valid nomination papers. The manifesto provided by each candidate. The date of the Election. The times and methods of which votes may be cast. The dates(s), time(s) and venue(s) of all Question Times (Hustings). Details of any invalid nomination paper, together with the reason for its invalidity. Manifestos All candidates must submit a five hundred word (maximum) manifesto which shall be displayed on the Union website and in the student newspaper.
The Returning Officer The Returning Officer shall be ultimately responsible for calling all Union elections, and for their free and fair running. The Returning Officer shall be responsible for enforcing these regulations. The Returning Officer shall be selected by the Union’s Board of Trustees and jointly approved by the Governing Council of the University and Student Council. The Returning Officer shall be a suitable person, who demonstrates the knowledge necessary to fulfil the role, and shall be independent of the Union. For clarity, the Returning Officer may not be a full member of the Students’ Union or a member of Union staff. The Returning Officer shall oversee all aspects of the elections process. They shall be responsible for the conduct of the count and the subsequent declaration of results. The Returning Officer will submit a report on the conduct of the elections to the Student Council and the University following each election. The report shall where necessary identify what steps are required to resolve outstanding issue(s) and ensure future elections are free and fair. Deputy Returning Officer The Senior Staff Member of the Union (or their nominee) shall act as the Deputy Returning Officer. The Deputy Returning Officer shall be responsible for assisting the Returning Officer in carrying out their duties. Nominations Nominations for posts shall be valid only for candidates who complete and submit a nomination form prior to the close of nominations. Forms will be checked by the Deputy Returning Officer before the nomination is accepted. Nomination forms submitted after the close of nominations shall not be valid. Announcement of Candidates The Returning Officer or Deputy shall publish the following on the Union website: The names of all candidates submitting valid nomination papers. The manifesto provided by each candidate. The date of the Election. The times and methods of which votes may be cast. The dates(s), time(s) and venue(s) of all Question Times (Hustings). Details of any invalid nomination paper, together with the reason for its invalidity. Manifestos All candidates must submit a five hundred word (maximum) manifesto which shall be displayed on the Union website and in the student newspaper.