SU President-elect to be announced by ‘mid-May’ after complaint investigation, Union confirms

Warwick Students’ Union (SU) has given another update on the result of the Presidential election almost 50 days after voting ended, confirming that “an indicative timescale” for the result will now be “mid-May”.

Originally citing a “procedural irregularity” on election night (7 March), the SU has now confirmed that the delay – criticised by many – was due to the start of an investigation into a complaint submitted during election week.

In a statement released this morning, the SU said: “We are aware that it has now been several weeks since voting ended, and we had hoped to have further news regarding the outcome of the Presidential election.

“Unfortunately, owing to a complaint received by the SU during voting week which was referred through to the University, we must wait for an investigation to be concluded before we can declare the election results.”

The SU has since confirmed to The Boar that this “timescale” will definitely be observed, while incumbent President Enaya Nihal concluded Monday’s SU Newsletter by teasing that “we should find out who’s next by week 4”

“An indicative timescale for this outcome is mid-May”, the Union continued, opting not to declare a hard deadline.

The SU has since confirmed to The Boar that this “timescale” will definitely be observed, while incumbent President Enaya Nihal concluded Monday’s SU Newsletter by teasing that “we should find out who’s next by week 4”.

This morning’s SU statement continued: “We appreciate it is frustrating for everybody involved that the election cannot be resolved sooner, but we felt it was important to provide an update on where we are at so everyone understands the situation.

“We hope that we are able to announce next year’s SU President soon,” the statement concluded, retaining a hint of uncertainty.

Like the previous Instagram “Elections Update” from 14 March, comments have been turned off on the post. 

Regarding the complaints process, election bye-law 714 states that “any student or staff member of Warwick SU may submit an election complaint if they believe that any of Warwick SU’s election regulations or Bye-Laws have been broken”.

The full list of bye-laws possibly subject to this investigation can be found at the link above.

Any claims of a breach of conduct are assessed, with due consideration given to any evidence to support the claim, and a decision reached on whether they think a breach has occurred

Warwick SU

Expanding on the complaints process, the SU told The Boar: “All complaints received during election week are treated fairly and reviewed with the Adjudication Panel who meet daily during the week to oversee complaints with the Deputy Returning Officer.

“Any claims of a breach of conduct are assessed, with due consideration given to any evidence to support the claim, and a decision reached on whether they think a breach has occurred. If it is decided that a breach has occurred, any imposed sanction looks to redress the balance and is always proportionate.”

The long duration of the delay has been subject to criticism from students, with some who were involved in the elections alleging the Union was breaking its own bye-laws by suspending the results indefinitely.

Bye-law 712 affirms that, “after the provisional results have been announced and before the objections deadline (48 hours after the count), any candidate may ask for and observe a recount of any election”.

The Presidential result has long since passed this objections deadline, with no provisional result announced at all. 

Today’s update has provided students with more transparency over what has been unfolding at the SU, but there remains little information regarding the nature of the complaint and ongoing investigation

This is despite an SU statement on election night indicating the intention to declare a President-elect and “have this situation resolved by the end of the week”.

Today’s update has provided students with more transparency over what has been unfolding at the SU, but there remains little information regarding the nature of the complaint and ongoing investigation.

The earliest date students can expect to hear the name of their SU President-elect will now be over two months after election night, as questions remain over what exactly this continuing SU drama concerns.