Monday 25-03-2024 - 13:00

 

International Students’ Officer election to be re-run.

 

 

As announced at the Students’ Union Election Results event on Friday 8th March, we postponed the results for the position of International Students’ Officer 2024/25 due to an on-going investigation. We have now concluded this investigation and can explain what will now happen, and why the announcement was delayed.

Here at LUSU, we take the integrity and legitimacy of our elections very seriously. It is vital that all students vote free of harassment, bullying, coercion, or bribery.

On Thursday 7th March an anonymous complaint of serious misconduct related to the election for the position of International Students’ Officer was received by the Deputy Returning Officer. At this point, in consultation with our Returning Officer (the NUS), in order to ensure a fair election process, we made the decision to postpone the announcement of the result to give us time to conduct a thorough investigation.

Through our investigation it came to light that a student had, acting independent from any candidate campaign, sought to garner votes for Ifaz Younus by offering a red envelope to students via an accommodation-based WeChat group. The red envelope contained approximately £20 split into 200 randomised pieces. We were also able to determine that this action was not sanctioned nor supported by Ifaz Younus, and this activity did not form part of their campaigning activity.

We know a small number of students accessed the red envelope, supposedly in-return for voting for a specific candidate, though both actions (voting and accessing the red envelope) were separate and not sequential. Nevertheless, an action like this does bring the election for this specific position into disrepute. As a result, we have made the decision to re-run the election for International Students’ Officer during our Summer Term elections.

We do not expect all students to be fully versed in our election rules, and we ask that all those involved are given the opportunity to reflect upon and learn from this experience. We also want to clarify that this incident does not constitute misconduct by any of the candidates. Though the amount offered was low, and we cannot be certain that those receiving funds from the red envelope did cast their vote accordingly, the concerns this action raises do warrant a re-run.

Voting for the position of International Students’ Officer will now take place in Week 28 (Tuesday 11th – Thursday 13th June 2024). Nominations will not re-open. All three candidates: Khanak, Sara, and Ifaz will have the opportunity to run again.  

We would like to thank all the candidates for their patience and understanding in this stressful period of delay.

If you have any questions, please contact us on lancastersuelections@lancaster.ac.uk