We want our elections to be free, fair, and compliant with the rules and relevant legislation. Our election rules exist to ensure that, as a democratic and student-led organisation, our members get to have their say who represents them. These rules are designed to ensure that all candidates compete on a level playing field. If you have any questions about the rules, or you're thinking about running in the election, support is available from the Representation Team. You can get in touch with us by email at SUrepresentation@uwe.ac.uk.
Our Principles
These principles form the overarching guidance from which our specific rules are written, and all candidates should abide by these principles, including the intention and meaning behind the rules, specified here:
• All campaigners must act in the interest of a fair election.
• Campaigners must treat staff, students and other candidates and campaign teams with respect, engage in civil debate, and not campaign negatively.
• Campaigners must only campaign in a way which it is reasonably possible for others to engage in.
All candidates must abide by the Law, the policies of the University and Students’ Union.
1. Manifestos
1.1. Manifestos and slogans are not mandatory for candidates; however they are highly recommended. Candidates must meet deadlines set.
1.2. Manifestos and slogans must not mislead students, mention individuals other than the candidate themselves by name, and must align with The Students' Union's values.
2. Campaigning
2.1. Campaigns must not undertake any activities that actively promote their candidate until they are able to begin campaigning (e.g. posters going up, social media accounts actively posting). However, the following activities are permitted by the candidate before the campaign period opens:
• Telling friends/colleagues about a prospective candidacy
• Creating election content in a public place (e.g. the library) ahead of the campaign period, provided that a reasonable person could not construe the activities as campaigning.
• Researching for a campaign/manifesto, prospective candidates may contact specific students to indicate they are “considering running in The Student Elections”. Campaigns may not utilise mailing lists of students relating to any sports club/society/course group.
2.2. Campaigns must not use the logos, iconography, or text which implies the endorsement of any registered student group (sports club/society).
2.3. Campaigning must not take place in any UWE Bristol library.
2.4. During voting, campaigners must not interfere with the free and fair ballot casting of a student. This includes, but is not limited to:
• Seeking to influence or deliberately observe a voter who is engaged in the act of voting;
• Casting a vote for someone else, with or without their consent;
• Offering a cash bribe or goods in return for votes;
• Handle a device that is used for casting a vote or provide their own voting device (an electronic device with access to The Students’ Union website is considered a voting device).
4. Staff Members
4.1. UWE Bristol Staff and permanent staff of The Students’ Union shall stay impartial during the election period.
4.2. The Presidents and Officers of The Students’ Union cannot endorse any candidate; however, Part Time officers may endorse a candidate in their capacity as an individual student.
4.3. Casual staff employed by The Students’ Union may engage in campaigning and endorse candidates but may not do so whilst on duty, whilst wearing The Students’ Union uniform, or in connection with their role as a member of staff.
4.4. Members of staff may be approached for professional advice and shall give information equally to all campaigners.
5. Budget and Spending
5.1. No budget available for spending
6. Endorsements
6.1. Campaigners are prohibited from seeking "external endorsements" - that is, an endorsement by any individual that is not a UWE Bristol student.
6.2. For the avoidance of doubt; UWE Staff, Societies, Sports Clubs, The Students' Union Staff, and any and all external individuals/organisations (e.g. Members of Parliament, political parties, companies) must not endorse or show favour towards/against any particular candidate.
7. Conduct and Complaints
7.1. Candidates are accountable for the behaviour of those campaigning on their behalf, including any potential sanctions for breaches of the election rules, Students' Union and University rules and the law. In the event of a breach of the rules by a campaigner, candidates must satisfy the Representation Team that they did everything practicable to ensure that anyone campaigning on their behalf abide by the election rules.
7.2. All campaigners, Union staff and Elections team members agree not to make any negative, false or unsubstantiated claims against another candidate, person, or organisation.
7.4. Any full member of The Students' Union or staff member may submit a complaint if they believe a campaign is in breach of these rules. Complaints must be submitted using the official Elections Complaint Form, and must be submitted within 24 hours of the incident concerned. The deadline for complaints will be when voting closes unless they concern the conduct of the count, and the count will not begin until any outstanding complaints have been resolved.
7.5. Complaints must be factual and contain evidence of the alleged rule breach. Hearsay, or events which the complainant has not directly witnessed, is unlikely to be successful. Complaints should include as much information as possible about time, location, and any relevant features for identification.