Referendum/Election Results

Langara Students’ Union Election Results

Treasurer:

Wei Wei Zhang – 87
Alex Moser – 81
Spoiled – 5

Education Council Rep. (Male):

Gabriel Pelletier – 119
Derek Martin – 54
Spoiled – 9

Services Coordinator:

Elsa Kamerling
Yes – 128
No – 27
Spoiled – 7

International Students Liaison

Margarita Iturriaga
Yes – 144
No – 20
Spoiled – 8

Environmental Issues Coordinator

Julien Thomas
Yes – 160
No – 14
Spoiled - 6


Langara Student's Union Referendum Results



Option 1 (New Student Newspaper) – 116 (58%)


Option 2 (Keep the Gleaner) – 81 (40.5%)


Spoiled – 3 (1.5%)


Note: On Monday, February 11th, the LSU voted not to ratify the Referendum results on the recommendation of the Election Committee. see below:

Elections Commission Report on the Conduct & Results of the Election and Referendum
Monday, February 11, 2008



Elections

In the view of the Electoral Committee (herin referred to as ‘we’), the student elections were carried out without incident. For the results of the election, please refer to the sheet provided in this package. We found that the placement of the polling station may have encouranged an increased voter turnout and potentially offset some of the difficulties in publicizing the election due to the displacement of the students’ union building.
The LSU received a number of complaints from students regarding the lack of publicity preceeding the election. We feel that although we agree that there is a definite lack in publicity, it is largely symptomatic of the aforementioned displacement of the students union and systematic issues such as lack of involvement of executives and students. We would recommend that in future, greater steps be taken in preparation in elections, including more physical publicity (posters, banners) and greater verbal communication with students, which may be facilitated by a greater Internet
presence and perhaps greater co-operation with the college.


Referendum

The Electoral Committee encountered numerous difficulties in administrating the referendum in a free and fair fashion in accordance to the bylaws and basic principles of the democratic process. We received numerous anonymous complaints in regard to the election and 4 official complaints, three from Ben Alldritt and one from Brian Lynchaun. In regards to the bylaws and policy, they are very few set requirements for referendum proceedings. This left the Electoral Committee in a situation where they felt that by communicating with both active interested parties, The Gleaner Publications Society and the Coalition for a New Student Newspaper, guidelines could be established in an informal, yet reasonable manner. Due to the continuously unfolding nature of the issues that arose, many of our decisions were essentially in reaction to circumstances. Concern arose over issues including campaigning at and nearby the polling station and illegitimate poster placement and removal.

These concerns are very serious and as a result, we feel that the democratic process was undermined. Since we cannot ensure that this referendum was free and fair, we cannot stand behind it as a legitimate polling of student attitudes towards to issue. It is our recommendation that the executive not ratify the results of this election. Furthermore, we recommend that the referendum by-laws be examined and policy constructed to prevent these same problems and set clear guidelines for the Elections Committee and for students and societies who wish to campaign for, or against a referendum.


Arran Walshe

Rob White

Note: More information pertaining to the nature of the irregularities will be posted within the next few days.