About the Election Committee
The constitution of the Chinese Students & Scholars Association at Thompson Rivers University grants eligible representatives rights to vote and be elected as director or president of the association.
The electoral committee is a temporary committee formed during the annual election to ensure justice, transparency, and legitimacy of the election.
The electoral committee is responsible for all matters related to the election, including initiating the election, publicizing election information, convening candidates’ meetings, and organizing on-site campaigning, voting, and ballot counting activities. The electoral committee also handles any complaints and suggestions related to the election and conducts investigations into any issues that arise during the election process.
As a member of the electoral committee, you CANNOT be a candidate or voter for the election.
Composition of the Electoral Committee
The electoral committee shall be comprised of:
- Two (2) current, good-standing representatives of the club;
- Two (2) current, registered students at Thompson Rivers University, and shall also be a good standing member of Thompson Rivers University Students’ Union, and shall not hold any position in the club;
- One (1) faculty or staff member of Thompson Rivers University.
Schedule of Election
The Department of Human Resources shall hold an annual election no later than the last week of March.
The schedule of election shall include:
- A minimum of one (1) week period for the submission of candidate’s information to the electoral committee;
- An all candidates meeting not less than one (1) hour prior to the commencement of polling.
Eligibility
A nominee for any position must be:
- At least eighteen (18) years old on the day of voting
- A registered student at Thompson Rivers University
- A club representative in good standing
- No other policy that prevents eligibility
A nominee must not be one of the following:
- An individual or organization recognized by the club as the honorary member.
- A student who has already graduated from Thompson Rivers University and did not submit a separate application to join the club as either a representative, a committee director or the president.
- An individual whose membership has been revoked by the club.
- An individual who held president position before and has been terminated by the president bureau.
Conduct of Nominees
- Nominees for all positions may campaign between the close of nominations and close of polling. During the polling period, candidates may not campaign within ten (10) meters of the polling venue.
- Nominees’ campaign expenses shall not exceed $100.00 per candidate.
- Nominees shall abide by all other regulations established by the electoral committee, even if it is a temporary measurement.
Voting
A voter must be:
- At least eighteen (18) years old on the day of voting
- A registered student at Thompson Rivers University
- A club representative in good standing
- No other policy that prevents eligibility
Each voter is allowed to cast one (1) secret, non-transferable ballot, and the ballot will entitle each voter to make one(1) choice for each position. Voting is conducted at locations and times determined by the electoral committee.
If only one (1) nomination is received for a particular position, members shall be asked on the ballot to approve or disapprove of the nominee. The nominee must receive the approval of the majority of the ballots cast to be declared duly elected.
A candidate is declared elected if they receive the most votes for that position. As per association regulations, the president and director of the department of finance shall act as the signing authority of the association and act as the representatives of the association in all interactions with the Thompson Rivers University Students’ Union and are legally liable for the activities of the association, including but not limited to financial activities.
All candidates must obey the policies of the association, the policies of Thompson Rivers Students’ Union, the policies of Thompson Rivers University, or applicable legislation, or for any other reason, as deemed by the board of directors of the Students’ Union.
Any ballot that did not meet the above requirements will NOT be counted.
Recounts and Appeals
A nominee may request a recount of votes cast, provided such request is made in writing to the electoral committee within seventy-two (72) hours following the committee’s announcement of election results.
Recounts and Appeals Procedure
In accordance with the established protocol, voters or candidates retain the right to present disputes to the Electoral Commission concerning any issues encountered during the electoral process. Such disputes must be accompanied by pertinent explanations or evidence to substantiate the claims made.
Upon receipt of a dispute, the Electoral Commission undertakes a preliminary examination to ascertain its validity. This preliminary scrutiny aims to ensure that the complaint furnishes adequate information and addresses matters that have the potential to impact the outcome of the election. Any complaints deemed patently unfounded or irrelevant may be dismissed at this stage.
Subsequently, the Electoral Commission proceeds with an independent investigation into the dispute. This investigative phase involves the collection of pertinent documents, witness testimonies, and any other relevant information pertinent to the matter at hand. In certain instances, the commission may convene hearings to gather additional insights and evidence.
Following the comprehensive collection of evidence, the Electoral Commission meticulously evaluates the gathered information. The primary objective of this assessment is to determine the presence of any irregularities or breaches of protocol that may have occurred during the electoral process. Moreover, the commission evaluates the potential ramifications of these issues on the integrity of the election results.
Finally, the Electoral Commission reaches a definitive decision on the dispute through a process of deliberation and analysis. This decision serves as the conclusive resolution to the matter at hand and is communicated to the relevant stakeholders. The commission ensures transparency and accountability by publicly announcing its decision, which is disseminated through official channels such as the club’s official website.