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Message from Returning Officer regarding recent Union election.

Please see link to Student Democracy page for further information regarding the recent election.

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Students’ Union statement about the SU Election 2008-09

We are sorry to say with regret that the Students’ Union election of London Metropolitan University has been declared null and void by the Returning Officer of the University due to fraudulent activities through out the election period. We understand the severity of the fraud and strongly support that the matter should be investigated and justice should be brought forward.

However there are a number of issues needs to be raised so that student representation will not be undermined and the student democracy can be carried forward

The university was given four options about the election by Electoral Reform Society (ERS) as mentioned in their statement .Based on those options the Returning Officer has cancelled the election until November 2008 and the new officers are proposed to be taking their office on January 2009. However they have to work six months on voluntary basis and then they will be paid from July 2009 for the last six months of their term.

We, the executives of the Students’ Union strongly disagree with this decision for number of reasons-

The decision about the new election and the working pattern was made without consulting the student body. I.e. the Students’ Union or Student Council.
The period between 1^st July till January, there would be no student representation and the welfare of students in terms of democracy and representation would be hugely undermined.
There would be no officers left in the Union to give a proper hand over to the new officers and it is unlikely that would be possible on that period. (January 2009)
The services currently run by the officers, i.e. the Advice, Information and Representation (AIR) service will be closed and numerous students will suffer without getting any independent advice and representation.
The Independent Student Metro (ISM), which is edited and written by students under the supervision of the Communications Officer will not be published under independent umbrella and the independent voice of students through the magazine will not be heard anymore. The same goes to the uprising student Radio.
The campaigns run by the Students’ Union, i.e. “ We want 24 hour library in London Met”, “Misconduct Awareness Drive” will not be run anymore and it is unlikely that a member of staff of university will be able to carry on these duties because of the conflict of interest as an employee of the university.
There would be hardly any people interested to participate in the election because of the unpaid period, especially the Sabbaticals Officers those who are the key members
There will be no independent body to keep the check and balances with the university in terms of making decision, i.e. there would be no student representative in the board of governor and different committees and these duties can’t be done by appointees or employees of the university.

The Students’ Union believes and suggests-

1 The new election should not be left until November 2008 but should be arranged ASAP with full consultation of student council.

2 The voting of the next SU election should be held according to the New Constitution, which is passed by the Student Council and approved by University’s Board of Governor.

3. The new elected officers should be paid from the day 1 they take over their office

4. There should be a proper handover period as usual.

5.There should be an independent election monitoring or observatory body (like NUS) to monitor the whole election process from next time.

The Students’ Union is ready to have a dialogue with the university to make the best out of the union to ensure that the next election is in the best interest of the students and will co-operate university and any external body regarding any of these issues.

Executive Committee

London Metropolitan University Students’ Union.