Election results

JENELLE PETRINCHUK STAFF

THE RESULTS ARE IN

The first uncontested UMSU election in years has ended with all executive positions ending up with an average of about 1,300 “yes” votes each. Not without opposing votes, however, the average number of no-votes between the candidates was between 437 and 504.

“We tried out best to get our message out,” said re-elected UMSU president Garry Sran on the results of the uncontested election, “but generally I think students did get involved in terms of asking us questions and hopefully were able to participate in the election.”

The new executives will take position on May 1, 2007 and according to Sran will sit down to talk about what they want to accomplish over the year.

“We’re going to be working on a lot of our UMSU businesses and services, in terms of implementing a waste audit, and becoming more environmentally sustainable in all our businesses and services,” said Sran.

The slate also plans on keeping up the campaign for lower tuition fees, putting an ATM in IQ’s, as well as revitalizing and renovating University Centre by working closely with the administration.

Community representatives were all successful in their race, with the exception of Toyin Malumi who lost to Dai Xin Wang for international 127students representative.
Of 26,585 possible voters, 1,984 students cast their ballot, leaving a voter turn-out of 7.46 per cent.

“I think the voter turnout was okay, considering that most of the positions were uncontested, what was unfortunate to start with,” said chief returning office Caitlin Brown, “I know a lot of people worked really hard to get the vote out for their side.”

CAMPAIGN BUDGETS

Less than half of the allotted amount of $400 was spent by executive candidates on campaign budgets during the UMSU election. Each candidate spent exactly $133.21 on posters and campaigning materials, leaving over $265 unused.

According to Sran, once the CRO has used any funds she needs for her side of the campaign (such as paying the poll clerks), the use of the extra money is decided by council.

“. . . council can decide whether or not to carry it forward for the next years election or decide to put it in a different budget line,” said Sran.

*Spoiled ballots

An unusually large number of spoiled ballots turned up at the end of voting period on March 2. The total number amounted to 3,169, including all of the candidates running for executive positions, the community representative positions and the three referendum questions.

“In regards to the spoiled ballots, those also accounted for blank ballots,” said Brown. “So that’s why there is the higher number.”

She explained some students maybe didn’t know enough about the candidate to vote, but were still told to put the empty ballots in the box.

The lowest number of spoiled votes came from those voting for international students community representative, in which only international students were able to vote. Fourteen of the possible 351 ballots were spoiled.

In terms of the executive slate, numbers of spoiled ballots were not consistent across the board, with numbers ranging from 188 (Garry Sran, president) to 242 (Mike Einarson, vice-president [internal).

Just over 100 of the votes for each of the three referendum questions were spoiled.

COMPLAINT FILED

An official complaint was filed against UMSU election CRO Caitlin Brown, questioning fulfilled responsibilities in the area of advertising the nomination period.
Filed by engineering student Jordan Ilott, the complaint states that a large number of posters advertising election nominations were still posted in University Centre after Feb. 9, the date nominations had closed.

Ilott states in the complaint that the posters gave “one the impression that the opportunity to enter a nomination is still available,” and requested they be removed. He also questioned whether editoror not the nomination period had been advertised 19 days before the close of the period, noting the posters were only dated Jan. 31, 2007.
In response, Brown stated that sufficient advertising took place more than 19 days in advance of the closing period. Nominations were advertised in the Jan. 17 issue of the Manitoban, posters were distributed on the same date and a banner was placed in University Centre on Jan. 22.

In terms of the date stamped on the posters, Brown said that Jan. 31 was the day the posters should have been removed by care-taking staff. She added there is nothing in the UMSU election bylaws that state the posters need to be taken down after nomination period closes, therefore no violation had been made.





Volume 94 Issue 23	The Official University of Manitoba Students' Newspaper Website	March 07, 2007

Home About Us Advertise Contact Staff Current Issue PDF Employment Letters to the Editor Meet the Staff Online Archives Personals Volunteer	Font Size Respond Email Print-Friendly Election results JENELLE PETRINCHUK STAFF THE RESULTS ARE IN The first uncontested UMSU election in years has ended with all executive positions ending up with an average of about 1,300 “yes” votes each. Not without opposing votes, however, the average number of no-votes between the candidates was between 437 and 504. “We tried out best to get our message out,” said re-elected UMSU president Garry Sran on the results of the uncontested election, “but generally I think students did get involved in terms of asking us questions and hopefully were able to participate in the election.” The new executives will take position on May 1, 2007 and according to Sran will sit down to talk about what they want to accomplish over the year. “We’re going to be working on a lot of our UMSU businesses and services, in terms of implementing a waste audit, and becoming more environmentally sustainable in all our businesses and services,” said Sran. The slate also plans on keeping up the campaign for lower tuition fees, putting an ATM in IQ’s, as well as revitalizing and renovating University Centre by working closely with the administration. Community representatives were all successful in their race, with the exception of Toyin Malumi who lost to Dai Xin Wang for international 127students representative. Of 26,585 possible voters, 1,984 students cast their ballot, leaving a voter turn-out of 7.46 per cent. “I think the voter turnout was okay, considering that most of the positions were uncontested, what was unfortunate to start with,” said chief returning office Caitlin Brown, “I know a lot of people worked really hard to get the vote out for their side.” CAMPAIGN BUDGETS Less than half of the allotted amount of $400 was spent by executive candidates on campaign budgets during the UMSU election. Each candidate spent exactly $133.21 on posters and campaigning materials, leaving over $265 unused. According to Sran, once the CRO has used any funds she needs for her side of the campaign (such as paying the poll clerks), the use of the extra money is decided by council. “. . . council can decide whether or not to carry it forward for the next years election or decide to put it in a different budget line,” said Sran. Spoiled ballots An unusually large number of spoiled ballots turned up at the end of voting period on March 2. The total number amounted to 3,169, including all of the candidates running for executive positions, the community representative positions and the three referendum questions. “In regards to the spoiled ballots, those also accounted for blank ballots,” said Brown. “So that’s why there is the higher number.” She explained some students maybe didn’t know enough about the candidate to vote, but were still told to put the empty ballots in the box. The lowest number of spoiled votes came from those voting for international students community representative, in which only international students were able to vote. Fourteen of the possible 351 ballots were spoiled. In terms of the executive slate, numbers of spoiled ballots were not consistent across the board, with numbers ranging from 188 (Garry Sran, president) to 242 (Mike Einarson, vice-president [internal). Just over 100 of the votes for each of the three referendum questions were spoiled. COMPLAINT FILED* An official complaint was filed against UMSU election CRO Caitlin Brown, questioning fulfilled responsibilities in the area of advertising the nomination period. Filed by engineering student Jordan Ilott, the complaint states that a large number of posters advertising election nominations were still posted in University Centre after Feb. 9, the date nominations had closed. Ilott states in the complaint that the posters gave “one the impression that the opportunity to enter a nomination is still available,” and requested they be removed. He also questioned whether editoror not the nomination period had been advertised 19 days before the close of the period, noting the posters were only dated Jan. 31, 2007. In response, Brown stated that sufficient advertising took place more than 19 days in advance of the closing period. Nominations were advertised in the Jan. 17 issue of the Manitoban, posters were distributed on the same date and a banner was placed in University Centre on Jan. 22. In terms of the date stamped on the posters, Brown said that Jan. 31 was the day the posters should have been removed by care-taking staff. She added there is nothing in the UMSU election bylaws that state the posters need to be taken down after nomination period closes, therefore no violation had been made.


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