Elections Complaints
Any member of KCLSU may submit an election complaint if they have reason to believe that any of the KCLSU Election Principles have been breached (see below for the Election Principles).
Complaints will be considered by the Deputy Returning Officer. If the complaint is about the actions of the Deputy Returning Officer, this will then be referred to the Returning Officer.
For KCLSU Elections please submit your complaint via this form.
You must submit one complaint per form so please refresh the form for multiple complaint submissions. All complaints must be first-hand and not hearsay - any hearsay complaints will not be considered by the Deputy Returning Officer.
The deadline for submitting a complaint is 24 hours after the close of voting.
Elections Principles:
- Elections should be democratic. No one may attempt to undermine the democratic legitimacy of elections.
- Elections should be free. Voters must be able to cast their (and no others’) ballot freely, privately and without any interference.
- Elections should be fair. No material advantage should be gained unfairly by or for anyone.
- Elections activity and campaigning should be conducted with respect towards each other and the locality.
- Elections activity and campaigning should enable informative debate and deliberation, and without negative campaigning.
For more detail, you can read the Elections By-Laws in full.
Terms:
Returning Officer: The Returning Officer is responsible for the conduct and administration of KCLSU Elections, and will take sole responsibility for the interpretation of the bye-laws.
The Returning Officer has the power to appoint a Deputy Returning Officer.
Deputy Returning Officer: A senior member of KCLSU staff whose role it is to support the Returning Officer. The Deputy Returning Officer is appointed by the Returning Officer.
If you’ve got any further questions about how the process works, get in touch at elections@kclsu.org.
Spring Elections 2021
Disciplinary Sanctions
KCLSU Election By-Laws state that sanctions are published and anonymised.
Sanction 1:
Complaints were made in relation to a candidate, alleging a breach of the following principles:
2. Elections should be fair. No material advantage should be gained unfairly by or for anyone.
3. Elections activity and campaigning should be conducted with respect towards each other and the locality.
Following investigation by the Deputy Returning Officer, the candidate was asked to remove particular campaign materials for the final two days of voting.
Spring Elections 2020
Disciplinary Sanctions
KCLSU Election By-Laws state that sanctions are published and anonymised.
Sanction 1:
Complaints were made in relation to a candidate for NUS Delegate, alleging a breach of the following principles:
- Elections should be free. Voters must be able to cast their (and no others’) ballot freely, privately and without any interference.
- Elections should be fair. No material advantage should be gained unfairly by or for anyone.
- Elections activity and campaigning should be conducted with respect towards each other and the locality.
Following investigation by the Deputy Returning Officer, the candidate was disqualified.
Sanction 2:
Complaints were made in relation to a candidate for Vice President Welfare & Community, alleging a breach of the following principles:
- Elections should be free. Voters must be able to cast their (and no others’) ballot freely, privately and without any interference.
- Elections should be fair. No material advantage should be gained unfairly by or for anyone.
- Elections activity and campaigning should be conducted with respect towards each other and the locality.
Following investigation by the Deputy Returning Officer, the candidate was disqualified.
Sanction 3:
Complaints was made in relation to a candidate for International Student Officer, alleging a breach of the following principles:
- Elections should be free. Voters must be able to cast their (and no others’) ballot freely, privately and without any interference.
- Elections should be fair. No material advantage should be gained unfairly by or for anyone.
- Elections activity and campaigning should be conducted with respect towards each other and the locality.
Following investigation by the Deputy Returning Officer, the candidate was disqualified.
Sanction 4:
Complaints was made in relation to a candidate for NUS Delegate, alleging a breach of the following principles:
- Elections should be free. Voters must be able to cast their (and no others’) ballot freely, privately and without any interference.
- Elections should be fair. No material advantage should be gained unfairly by or for anyone.
- Elections activity and campaigning should be conducted with respect towards each other and the locality.
Following investigation by the Deputy Returning Officer, the candidate was disqualified.
Sanction 5:
Complaints was made in relation to a candidate for Vice President Education (Arts & Sciences), alleging a breach of the following principles:
- Elections should be free. Voters must be able to cast their (and no others’) ballot freely, privately and without any interference.
- Elections should be fair. No material advantage should be gained unfairly by or for anyone.
- Elections activity and campaigning should be conducted with respect towards each other and the locality.
Following investigation by the Deputy Returning Officer, the candidate was disqualified.
Sanction 6:
Complaints was made in relation to a candidate for Vice President Activities & Development, alleging a breach of the following principles:
- Elections should be free. Voters must be able to cast their (and no others’) ballot freely, privately and without any interference.
- Elections should be fair. No material advantage should be gained unfairly by or for anyone.
- Elections activity and campaigning should be conducted with respect towards each other and the locaility.
Following investigation by the Deputy Returning Officer, the candidate was disqualified.
Sanction 7:
Complaints was made in relation to a candidate for President, alleging a breach of the following principles:
- Elections should be democratic. No one may attempt to undermine the democratic legitimacy of elections.
- Elections should be free. Voters must be able to cast their (and no others’) ballot freely, privately and without any interference.
- Elections should be fair. No material advantage should be gained unfairly by or for anyone.
- Elections activity and campaigning should be conducted with respect towards each other and the locality.
Following investigation by the Deputy Returning Officer, the candidate was disqualified.