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Contents

Page

Review of Union Elections 3

Issues and Recommendations 5

Complaints and Returning Officer Rulings 7

Appendix One: Voter Turnout 10

Appendix Two: Winners of Spring Term Student Union Elections

Appendix Three: Winners Manifestos 12

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3

Review of Union Elections

Timetable

The Student Union Elections for the Sabbatical Officer positions must be held,

in accordance with the constitution, in weeks 5 or 6 of the second term. This

year, it was agreed that the elections would be held in week 6, commencing

on the 28th February 2011.

The elections timetable is detailed below:

DATE ACTION PLACE

10 am,

Monday

10th Jan

2011

Nominations Open

Online and at the

Students Union Reception

12pm,

Friday 4th

Feb 2011

Nominations Close Students Union Reception

3pm,

Thursday

10th Feb

2011

Candidates' Briefing Students Union Meeting Room

3pm, Friday

11th Feb

2011

Deadline for handing in signed

Trustee Declaration Form

(Sabbatical Officer positions

only) and manifestos (all positions).

Students Union Reception

10am, 28th

Feb 2011 Ballots Open Online

5pm, 4th

Mar 2011 Ballots Close Online

7pm, 4th

March 2011 Results announced

The Rigg Bar, Student

Union Building, Thomas

Doyle Street

Candidates

There were a total of 17 of candidates, who successfully completed the

nomination form although 2 candidates withdrew before voting opened,

giving 15 candidates standing in elected (higher than the 13 candidates in

last years election).

The key contacts for this election cycle were:

4

1. Returning Officer: Nell Andrews, London Regional Organiser, National

Union of Students.

2. Deputy Returning Officer: Richard Thomson, Solicitor, London South

Bank University.

3. Vice Deputy Returning Officer: Yemi Makinde, Representation and

Democracy Coordinator, London South Bank University Students Union

This is the second year that the election has been conducted online. The

decision to move to online elections was taken last year as a way of making

it easier for part time students and students at the Havering campus to vote.

Although last year saw a significant dip in the number of students voting, this

year, there has been a increase in the number students voting (see appendix

one), leading to the conclusion that although a change to online voting may

have confused students in the first year, they are now more accustomed to it

and thus increase in the number of votes.

5

Complaints and Returning Officer Rulings

A number of complaints were received both informally and formally by the

Vice Deputy Returning Officer (VDRO). Candidates were told at the

candidates briefing that if they wished for a complaint to be investigated

written notification must be sent to the VDRO along with any evidence. The

VDRO would then inform the Returning Officer (RO) and the Deputy

Returning Officer (DRO) of the complaint and a decision would be taken

whether to uphold it and if any sanctions should be taken. Below are details

of complaints that were dealt with by the Returning Officer (not in

chronological order).

1. Two candidates (Candidate D and E) did not submit their manifesto

form by the stated deadline. They were advised by the VDRO that if they

wished to have their manifesto published, they needed to write to the

Returning Officer explaining the reasons why their manifesto was late.

Both candidates wrote to the Returning Officer.

ROs Decision: Neither candidate had a valid reason for submitting a late

manifesto and so their manifestos were not published.

2. A student complained that as Candidate B was also a member of Union

staff working in the Unions licensed premises, that this gave the

candidate an unfair advantage over other candidates as it granted

them more access to students.

ROs Decision: That candidates who work for the Union are allowed to

work during the election period, although they are not allowed to talk

about any aspect of the election or wear campaign materials while

working.

3. Candidates were told in the mandatory candidates briefing that

although they could use social media to campaign, they could not use

email lists or phone lists that they exclusive held to send out

campaigning messages; this also applied to their campaign teams. To

do would be in contravention of Rule 15.5 contained within the Election

Regulations of the Unions Constitution. The VDRO was alerted to three

candidates who had used lists to campaign in contravention of Rule

15.5.

3.1. It was found that a member of the campaign team of Candidate A

had sent out a message of support to an exclusively held email list.

6

ROs Decision: This is in contravention of Rule 15.5. The candidate

was given a final warning and a message containing information for

the other election candidates was sent out on the same email list.

3.2. It was found that a member of the campaign team of Candidate B

had sent out a message of support to an exclusively held email list

and phone list.

ROs Decision: This is in contravention of Rule 15.5. The candidate

was given a final warning and a message containing information for

the other election candidates was sent out on the same email list.

3.3. It was found that Candidate C had sent out a message of support

to an exclusively held email list.

ROs Decision: This is in contravention of Rule 15.5. As a message

could not be resent to that list, this put Candidate C in an unfair

position and so the candidate was disqualified from the election.

3.4.

4. Two separate complaints of a serious nature were received concerning

the conduct of Candidate C. As the candidate had already been

disqualified by the receipt of these complaints, they were investigated.

However, the RO has asked that these complaints be forwarded to the

University and investigated under the student disciplinary procedure. No

action has been taken yet.

5. Under Rule 16 of the Election Regulations to the Constitution, any person

who is disqualified is allowed to appeal to a Pro Vice Chancellor (PVC)

to have the disqualification over turned. Candidate C, appealed to the

PVC (Academic), as specified under the Constitution to overrule the

ROs decision. The ROs decision was upheld.

6. Under Rule 17 of the Election Regulations to the Constitution, any person

may complain to the Vice Chancellor that the election was run

unconstitutionally. An appeal was made to the Vice Chancellor and it

was found that the election was not run unconstitutionally and the

appeal was dismissed.

7

Issues and Recommendations

The process of elections needs continual review and each year elections

being held highlight areas that the Union needs to work on so that elections

run much more smoothly.

1. Staff Resources

Members of Students Union staff have an important role to play in the election process. Prior to 2010 when the election was conducted by

paper ballots, temporary paid staff were employed by the Union to

help staff ballot stations on different campuses. In 2010, when the

election moved to online voting, temporary staff were deemed not

necessary, leaving one member of staff (VDRO) to administer the Union

elections. While the election ran smoothly this year, if the Union and

University wish to see an increase in the profile of the elections,

consideration needs to be given to employing temporary staff whom

will assist the VDRO on operational matters such as production of

materials, dealing with complaints, promoting voting and assisting

candidates. The Unions election budget would need to be increased to allow for the payment of staff.

2. Slates

A slate can be defined as a group of candidates, who agree to stand on the same or similar manifesto and/or agree to pool resources of time and

campaign together for each other. A complaint over the actions of three

candidates whom were running on a slate (the complaint was not

upheld) brought into focus that the Union did not have any election

regulations to deal with slates and this needed to be amended,

particularly in relation to how slates of candidates should be treated

when a member or members of a slate are found to have breached

the election regulations. There are two options that should be

considered:-

a. No Slates at future elections - The majority of staff currently

involved in the administration of the elections believe that slates

should be discontinued and that candidates should put

themselves forward for election on an individual basis for each

position. There is much to recommend this solution. In situations

where candidates have been found to breach the regulations it

would make it much easier for the Returning Officer to act. There

is also a strong argument that it enhances voter choice because

members are asked to consider individual candidates on merit

for each position. It also avoids the potential for paper candidates to be nominated simply to fill vacancies in the slate.

b. Regulation of Slates An alternative to banning slates would be stronger regulation. This would place additional administrative

requirements on the Returning Officer and their staff. It would be

8

necessary for candidates to acknowledge that they are part of

a slate at the time of nomination. This would place responsibilities

on all members of the slate with regard to their conduct and as

such in circumstances where a candidate who is a member of a

slate is penalised or excluded by the Returning Officer the

penalty would apply to all members of the slate.

3. Consent to Nominations and Acknowledgment of Election Rules

Candidates should be required to complete a Consent to Nomination form which includes an acknowledgement that they have read, understood and will abide by the Election Regulations. Failure to

complete such a form before the close of nominations would render

any nomination invalid.

4. Campaigning

a. Regulations about where and when campaigning is permitted

need to be strengthened. One option that may be considered is

to erect No Campaigning signs in areas where campaigning is prohibited. This would benefit members who may not be familiar

with the election regulations.

b. Candidates complained that they had very limited places where

they could put posters, and there were reports of members of

University staff taking down posters from inside the Union as well

as around the University. In addition, the Union was unable to

book key access points (London Road Concourse) for the first

time which hindered the Unions ability to promote the elections

to students. While the Union recognises that the University does

not want to be fly posted with elections materials, the Union

believes that this is an important time of the year for increasing

participation, establishing our legitimacy and meeting the

requirements of the Education Act 1994. Consideration should be

given by the University to relax postering rules during the election

period. The Union would be responsible for taking down all

posters at the end of campaigning.

5. Training for candidates and potential candidates

The current arrangements for candidate training are detailed and

robust. However there would be some benefit in starting the candidate

training process before nominations close. This may have the effect of

encouraging potential candidates who are curious about standing for

election to come forward without first having made a commitment to

stand for election. In addition, two members of staff should be

available for the candidates briefing (rather than the one whom

attended this year), one of which should be the RO or the DRO, so that

they can witness the information that candidates have received and

watch candidates signing that they have understood and agree to

follow the election regulations.

9

6. Complaints Management Procedures

While there are no particular difficulties with the way in which

complaints are handled after they have been submitted there is a

need for a much clearer system about how complaints should be

submitted for Union members and staff. The key objective must be to

enable any member who has a complaint to be able to submit it in

absolute confidence and for Staff members to have an enabling role in

the procedure without becoming involved in the complaint itself. A

standard complaints form will be developed both online and in hard

copy, to make it easier for complainants to know what information

they need to provide. The Returning Officer must be allowed more time

after the close of voting to receive and deal with any final complaints.

The current period of two hours is inadequate.

The Spring Term Union Elections 2011 can be considered as a success when

compared to the previous years. However there are a number of changes

that could be made for subsequent years to make the elections run more

smoothly.

10

Appendix One:

Voter Turnout

Position Votes in

2010

Votes in

2011

Percentage

Increase

Number of

Candidates in

2010

Number of

Candidates in

2011

President 905 1274 +40% 3 41

Vice President

Academic

Affairs

698 895 +28% 3 32

Vice President

Sports and

Societies

745 977 +31% 2 3

Vice President

Welfare and

Students Rights

639 534 -16% 1 23

Mature

Students

Officer4

0 426 +426% 0 1

Equality and

Diversity

Officer5

0 483 +426 0 2

International

Students

Officer6

0 0 0 0 0

Disabled

Students

Officer7

0 0 0 0 0

LGBT (Lesbian,

Gay, Bisexual

and

Transgender)

Students

Officer8

0 0 0 0 0

NUS

Conference

Delegate(6

posts)910

654 500 -23% 4 2

1 One candidate was disqualified from the election on Tuesday 2

nd March 2011 reducing the

candidates from 4 to 3. As the voting was conducting online the software was able to eliminate the candidate before counting took place and redistributed votes for that candidate. 2 One candidate withdrew before voting commenced and their name was not included on the ballot

paper, thus reducing the number of candidates from 3 to 2. 3 One candidate withdrew before voting commenced and their name was not included on the ballot

paper, thus reducing the number of candidates from 2 to 1. 4 This position is a non trustee, unremunerated role.

5 This position is a non trustee, unremunerated role.

6 This election shall be reopened in the Union Autumn Term Elections

7 This election shall be reopened in the Union Autumn Term Elections

8 This election shall be reopened in the Union Autumn Term Elections

9 This position is a non trustee, unremunerated role.

10 As 4 positions still remain unfilled the election has been reopened to fill the remaining positions.

11

12

Appendix Two:

Winners of Spring Term Union Elections

President: Iain Hanley

Vice President Academic Affairs: Anisa Ali

Vice President Sports and Societies: Barry Taylor

Vice President Welfare and Students Rights: Nicola Lucas

Equality and Diversity Officer: Francis Namisi

Mature Students Officer: Gabriel Okenla

NUS Conference Delegate: Francine Dikete

Richard Kuti

13

Appendix Three

Winners

Manifestos

REMODEL and RELOCATE the SU.

Engage with parliament TO ADDRESS ISSUES

AFFECTING STUDENTS!

More events! (Better parties & Pool competitions)

BETTER INTEGRATION for nurses, part-time, post

graduate, mature and international students!

Vote # 1 Iain Beans

Hanley FOR President. From 10am 28th February - 4th March 5pm. www.londonsouthbanksu.com

www.londonsouthbanksu.com

LONDON SOUTH BANK CAN BE BETTER

VOTE # 1

Say Yes, Together We Can

V.P. Academic Affairs

Im currently a third year student studying BA Account-ing & Finance. While studying, I have been involved in various activities, such as being course rep and mem-ber of the student council. As a course rep, I was able to understand my fellow students needs and represent them in the best possible way. I am also part of the stu-dent society of accounting and finance as an Internal finance officer for the society which involves raising money to fund events and workshops in order to in-crease employability awareness. I am confident, hard working individual who is highly motivated and extremely ambitious in achieving target set. I also stand for diversity and equality within the stu-dent union to represent the diverse background of indi-viduals that study at London Southbank University.

If I am elected as your V.P. Academic Affairs:

I will improve the communication between stu-dents and teachers by co-ordinating meetings with the course reps Fight to improve Learning facilities Provide full support to all students Increase awareness of students support ser-vices Increase students involvement and participa-tion Work on Equality & Diversity and many

more .

Voting is open 24 hours from 10am February 28

th to 5pm March 4

th

Online :www.londonsouthbaksu.com

Vote for Barry Taylor as number 1 forVice President Sports and Societies

Barry Taylor

Reliability

Drive

Experience

Passion

Commitment

Honesty

Engagement

Anyone can say theyre the bestcandidate for a position, andduring an election everyone will.

I believe the way to judge whotruly is the best person for the jobis not by focusing on what peoplepromise to do, but by looking atwhat theyve done so far.The most driven, most passionatepeople will always distinguishthemselves with their deeds, nottheir words.

Goals

Greater engagement with the student bodyIncreased variety of sport available for LSBU studentsFurther increased cooperation between clubs at LSBUMore fundraisers and social eventsIntroduce seed societies, for societies with less then 20 members.

The Sports and Societies vote: Does it matter?The sports teams and societies act as ambassadors for, and public faces of,the university. The state of them reflects the state of the university as awhole, as such its important they are run well

Achievements this year

Acted as social secretary of the sports executive committeeBeen heavily involved with every sports fund raiser this yearHelped organise the end of year awards ballDeveloped the American football team, as VP and match co-captainCreated cooperation between sports clubsHelped organised all aspects of home games for the LSBU SpartansHosted the LSBU Spartans showcase game and BBQHelped with the foundation of one new societyHelped with the foundation of one new sports club

VOTE

NICOLELUCASVice President Welfare

and Student RightsFor a strong, campaigning, democratic Students Union

DEFEND LSBU! DEFEND OUR EDUCATION!

Defend Education by fighting to retain our widening participation status: Say NO to a two-tiered education system and 7,000+ fees

Fight for a student union which represents LSBU students and defending the services the student union pro-vides: Say NO to a student centre.

Celebrate the universities diversity and culture: Say NO to all dis-crimination

To empower and represent all LSBU students by developing a great-er support network and increasing widening participation: Say NO to marginalisation

savesouthbank.wordpress.comVote online now at www.londonsouthbanksu.com

VOTE: FRANCIS NAMISI for Equality and Diversity.

ENSURING WE ALL REACH THE BENEFITS WE DESERVE Make your best decision for 2011 VOTE

FRANCIS NAMISI (BA Accounting and Finance)

Standing as: EQUALITY AND DIVERSITY OFFICER

(EDO)

Yes, of course LSBU manufactures knowledge and committing to serve as equality and diversity officer guarantees enhancement of employability and transferable skills for all students. I am more than passionate that everybody must be treated equally at accessing services within the university and external bodies such as the Local Council, Trusts plus any others on issues affecting students welfare. Upon becoming an EDO I vow to do all the listening to students, raise their matters to the union and beyond, finally fight for action.

Quality is restored by equality Who questions the values of diversity? Indeed diversity in terms of race, gender, culture, age or religion blends well as a mixture of different talents and skills. Having lived within Southwark borough (lsbus local council), I have discovered live efforts for diverse representation where by over 45.5% of the workforce identified themselves as black or minority ethnic origin in 2006 to 2007. My duty as an EDO will be to ensure full participation in these employment opportunities by our union.

Bridging the gap between the students and the union Oh yes, all students know about the union but whether they are actively involved in the union activities is questionable. I therefore look forward to coordinating with all other union representatives most especially the president and the vice presidents for Welfare and Student Rights, Sports and Societies plus Academic Affairs to ensure real connection with the students. United we stand, divided we fall. You will not be left to deal with problems alone.

Research and Training on Equal Opportunities I will conduct a thorough research through seminar group representatives, societies, regular groups and union meetings where any raised issues will be dealt with accordingly. Discrimination still exists at work place and my obligation will be to ensure that you walk out of LSBU with the transferable knowledge that will enable you combat that real world. I will work closely with Equal Opportunities Trusts to ensure that all available information is provided to students.

Big up our voices in a swift and professional style Over the past few months we have been confronted by government decisions such as tuition fees, general cuts and elimination of Education Maintenance Fund. Not only shall I fight for our rights to affordable education but also extract all possible means to make sure that our say is not taken for granted. The good news is, there a number of government officials on our side therefore we shall maintain our voices for unlimited rewards such as grants.

Report Front CoverReport on Union ElectionsIain ManifestoAnisa ManifestoBarry ManifestoNicole ManifestoFrancis manifestoGabriel manifestoReport back Cover