We would like to create an atmosphere in which election candidates can have a contest which is both exciting and good-natured, leading to a high turnout at the polls.
For this reason, all candidates and their campaign teams must adhere to a series of rules and regulations throughout their election campaign.
Click here if you would like to make a complaint about a campaign.
CAMPAIGN RULES AND REGULATIONS:
The Rules Context:
During the election campaign candidates are likely to be involved in a series of activities. It is important to remember that during the election campaign, they are still bound by sets of rules that, whilst not strictly elections rules, still have a bearing on their conduct.
Students' Union Rules: this includes abiding by the Union's general rules, its behavioural code and equal opportunities policy. If a candidate breaches these and the Returning Officer does not take action under the auspices of the election rules, he/she may still be subject to the Union's disciplinary procedure, which in its ability to revoke membership rights may put his/her candidacy in jeopardy.
University Rules: the University sets out a number of rules that relate to the your membership of the student community and your use of University facilities and property; for example, its bullying and harassment code, damage to university property and buildings, etc. These also refer to use of mailing lists: mailing lists (electronic or otherwise) set up for other purposes are not to be used for the purpose of a campaign. If a candidate breaches these and the Returning Officer does not take action under the auspices of the election rules, he/she may still be subject to the University's disciplinary procedure. This may then result in the jeopardy of his/her candidacy.
The Law: the fact that the candidate is standing in an election does not remove him/her from the auspices of the law of the land. Again, if a candidate breaches these and the Returning Officer does not take action under the auspices of the election rules, they still reserve the right to refer the matter to the appropriate authorities, which may also put his/her candidacy in jeopardy.
Campaign Teams:
Campaigning in general is a very intensive period for many candidates and can be an exhausting one if undertaken alone. For these reasons, many candidates recruit a campaign team. It is very important to remember that candidates will be held responsible for the actions of any member of their campaign team.
Campaign Allowance:
a) Candidates standing for sabbatical and non-sabbatical posts are given an allowance of £40 for their campaign (refunded by Cardiff University Students' Union).
Please bear in mind:
1) This allowance is to be spent on the campaign. You cannot, under any circumstances, exceed the amount allocated. If the Returning Officer has evidence that amounts being spent are higher, then you may be disqualified from the election.
2) All candidates are required to produce receipts for all of their expenditure on the campaign by the close of polling on Tuesday 18th March. Failure to do so may result in disqualification.
3) Campaign expenditure shall be defined as ‘any expenditure that is carried out with the purpose of promoting a candidate's election campaign'. This includes publicity, costume hire, t-shirt production, etc. The Returning Officer's decision on the application of this definition is final and so you are advised to check beforehand.
4) Candidates should only do what others have had the opportunity to do. This means that any ‘sponsorship' or ‘favours' that have a value but do not involve candidate expenditure must be available to all candidates in a given election. In this event candidates must report this to the Returning Officer before using any such ‘sponsorship' or ‘favours'.
Publicity Regulations:
There are strict rules on publicity to avoid candidates having unfair advantages over others. The following are useful guidelines but are not exhaustive. You are advised to bear in mind strongly the University's rules around treatment of property and the Union's rules on equality of opportunity and harassment. If you have any questions please contact the Deputy Returning Officer as soon as possible.
1) Cardiff University Students' Union has a strict bilingual policy. Therefore all publicity of any kind must be bi-lingual. Violation of this rule may result in disqualification. This means that both Welsh and English should have equal prominence.
2) Union: posters will be placed in Cardiff University Students' Union for you.
3) University: posters may be placed on certain walls and notice boards within the University but should not be placed over any other notice, poster or publication. Posters which are placed on walls of the University will usually get removed by cleaners. You will need to bear this mind when you place them there.
4) Posters placed on Fire doors will be removed. University staff will remove these and they will probably be destroyed.
5) Halls of residence: You may put posters up at halls in private areas e.g. bedroom windows, but any other posters will be taken down, either by the University or by us. Therefore posters SHOULD NOT be displayed in communal areas such as kitchens or in corridors. You may put posters in private residences and ask local businesses but please show respect if they decline - they are not obliged to.
6) The defacing or removal of publicity of another candidate is not permitted.
7) The content of the materials displayed or circulated is the responsibility of the candidate. Material which breaches the Union constitution, election rules and equal opportunity policy will be removed and action may be taken by the Returning Officer in accordance with the election rules.
8) Material which makes allegations against individuals or which could render the Union open to legal action needs to be checked by the Returning Officer. The Returning Officer can instruct that such material is removed until they have taken professional advice.
9) Candidates and their campaign teams should not display campaign material, canvass individual students within sight or sound of any ballot box. If you have doubts please check with the Ballot Box Assistant.
10) During the campaigning period, you will be permitted to attach a banner to the railings of the Union steps. These banners may be up between 7am and 7pm. It is your responsibility to remove them by 7pm each day. Banners not removed by this time will be removed by the Elections Committee. Banners may not be attached to the steps' railings before 10.00am on Monday, 12th March 2007.
11) It is recommended that you request permission before "lecture shouts" as some departments do not like students invading their lectures.
12) No use of chalk will be allowed in any way, including in lecture theatres, the Union building, roads, pavements etc. "Dry Wipe boards" are also not to be used for publicity purposes.
13) Please do NOT use your own loudhailers, shout from car windows, etc - or anything that disturbs the peace.
14) Any permanent member of Union or University staff is not allowed to support any candidate in the election, therefore please do not ask them to support your campaign. Casual members of staff may not wear campaigning material whilst at work either.
15) No tape of any kind is to be used on pavements or roads.
16) No stickers are to be used.
