NUIGSU Election Booklet

Students’ Union Elections 2016

Toghcháin Chomhaltas na Mac Léinn 2015

#nuigsu16

www.su.nuigalway.ie facebook.com/NUIGalwayStudentsUnion twitter.com/NUIGSU

Full-Time Officers• President

• Vice-President/EducationOfficer

• Vice-President/WelfareOfficer

Election: Thursday 3rd March 2016. Nominations open at 10am on Thursday 18th February 2016 Nominations close at 5:00pm on Wednesday 24th February 2016

Part-Time Officers • OifigeachnaGaeilge

• EqualityOfficer

• Societies’Chairperson

• PostgraduateOfficer

• Clubs’Captain

• MatureStudents’Officer

• ConvenoroftheCollegeofArts,Social Sciences & Celtic Studies

• Convenorofthe College of Science

• ConvenoroftheCollegeofEngineering & Informatics

• ConvenoroftheCollegeofMedicine,Nursing&HealthSciences

• ConvenoroftheCollegeofBusiness,PublicPolicy&Law

Election: Thursday 10th March 2016.

Nominations open at 10am on Thursday 25th February 2016

Nominations close at 5pm on Wednesday 2nd March 2016

TheStudents’UnionCouncilChairpersoniselectedatthefinalSUCounciloftheacademicyear.OnlyregisteredClassRepresentativesareeligibletoparticipateinthiselection..

Le tuilleadh eolais a fháil, téigh chuig www.su.nuigalway.ie

ContentsClár na nÁbhar

What’s it All About?.............................................................................2 Céard atá i gceist leis?

Students’ Union Officer Positions ...................................................3 Oifigigh Chomhaltas na Mac Léinn

What Do They Do? ..............................................................................4 Céard a dhéanann siad?

Why Should You Run? .........................................................................9 Cén fáth ar chóir duit dul san iomaíocht?

How Do You Run? ............................................................................. 10 Cén chaoi ar féidir leat dul san iomaíocht?

Running A Campaign .................................................................... 11 Feachtas a rith

Busting The Myths ............................................................................ 14 Na scéalta gan bhunús a dhíbirt

The Rules ............................................................................................. 15 Na rialacha

Voting Information .......................................................................... 16 Faisnéis vótála

Election Statistics ............................................................................. 17 Staitisticí maidir le toghcháin

Polling Statistics ................................................................................ 18 Staitisticí maidir le vótáil

Results ................................................................................................... 22 Torthaí

2 For more information visit www.su.nuigalway.ie

TheStudents’Unionisanindependentbodywhosefunctionistorepresentitsmembersandpromote,defendandvindicatetheirrightsintheUniversityandelsewhere.Everystudent,onpaymentofthestudentlevy,isautomaticallyamemberoftheStudents’Union.AsaresultyouareentitledtoavailofalltheUnion’sservices.ThoseservicesrangefromadviceonwelfareandeducationtotheStudents’UnionShopandtheCollegeBar.Inadditiontothoseservices,theStudents’Unionrepresentsyouonalluniversitycommittees.Italsoworkswiththeuniversitytoensureyourvoiceisheardandthatanyconcernsyouhaveareraised.Students’Unionofficersadvise,lobbyandspeakonyourbehalffromorientationthroughtograduation.

TheStudents’UnionExecutiveCommitteerunstheStudents’Uniononanon-goingbasisandisresponsibleforthedaytodayrepresentationalfunctionsandactivities.TheExecutiveismadeupoffifteenofficerswhoarenominatedandelectedeachyearbyyou,themembers.TheStudents’UnionExecutiveisresponsibleforprovidingyouwithinformationandadvicecoveringthewholespectrumofstudent life from academic issues to issues regarding accommodation and equality.

Mission“The mission of the Union shall be to represent its members and promote, defend and vindicate the rights of its members at all levels of society.”

What’s it all about?

Céard atá i gceist leis?

Le tuilleadh eolais a fháil, téigh chuig www.su.nuigalway.ie 3

Students’ Union Officer Positions

Oifigigh Chomhaltas na Mac Léinn

There are three full-time officers and twelve part-time officers.

Full-Time Positions • ThePresident

• TheVice-President/WelfareOfficer

• TheVice-President/EducationOfficer

Full-TimeOfficersworkfull-timeandtakesabbaticalleavefromtheirstudies. Theyarepaidanannualsalaryof€24,000(gross).

Part-Time Positions • TheEqualityOfficer

• ThePostgraduateOfficer

• TheMatureStudentsOfficer

• TheIrishLanguageOfficer

• TheSocieties’Chairperson

• TheClubs’Captain

• TheStudents’UnionCouncilChairperson

• ConvenoroftheCollegeofArts,SocialSciences&CelticStudies

• ConvenoroftheCollegeofScience

• ConvenoroftheCollegeofEngineering&Informatics

• ConvenoroftheCollegeofMedicine,Nursing&HealthSciences

• ConvenoroftheCollegeofBusiness,PublicPolicy&Law

What’s it all about?

Céard atá i gceist leis?


What Do They Do? Céard a dhéanann siad?

The responsibilities of each officer is outlined in the Students’ Union Constitution.

The President i. S/He shall act as Chairperson and shall have responsibility to uphold this Constitution and the terms of reference of all Union companies.

ii. S/He shall be responsible for liaising with the appropriate staff members of the Union, the Union’s companies and with University management.

iii. S/He shall have responsibility for the day to day finances of the Union in conjunction with the senior staff member and shall report to the Finance Committee on those issues.

iv. S/He shall also be responsible for ultimate coordination of Students’ Union campaigns

v. S/He shall be required to act as a member of the Boards of Directors of companies owned by or related to the Union.

vi. S/He will represent Union members on University committees.

vii. S/He shall be the Chief Executive Officer and chief spokesperson of the Union.

viii. S/He shall be the principal delegate to the National Council and Annual Congress of the Union of Students in Ireland.

ix. S/He shall also be required to give a mandatory report on work carried out at each Executive meeting.

ThePresidentco-ordinatestheactivitiesoftheStudents’UnionandworkswithUniversityManagementtoachievethebestacademicenvironment and quality of life for NUI Galway students.ThePresidentisresponsiblefortheUnion’sfinances,co-ordinationofUnioncampaignsandactsasthechiefspokespersonoftheUnion.ThePresidentsitsonawiderangeof university committees including Údarás na hOllscoile,FinanceResourceCommitteeandStanding & Strategic Planning Committee.

ThePresidentisalsoappointedtotheboardsofthefollowingcompaniesforthedurationoftheirterm:

• Students’UnionCommercialServicesLtd:AcompanyownedbytheStudents’UnionwhichmanagestheCollegeBar,Students’UnionShop,Smokey’sCafé,TheHubCafé,TheWallCaféandCaifenaGaeilge.

• SeirbhísíComhaltasnaMacLéinnTeo:AcompanyownedbytheStudents’UnionresponsibleforproducingStudents’Unionpublications.

• CollegeCampusRadioLtd:AcompanyresponsibleforFlirtFM

• CumannCéimithenaGaillimheAonadSláintedoMhicLéinnTeo:AcompanyresponsibleformanagingtheStudentHealthUnit.


Vice President Welfare Officeri. S/He shall have responsibility for providing information and educating the general student body on welfare issues and to this end shall initiate campaigns on relevant and pressing Welfare issues.

ii. S/He shall also provide a confidential listening and referral service for members of the Union

iii. S/He shall represent members on various University committees.

iv. S/He shall also organise and chair the Welfare Forum.

v. S/He shall also be required to give a mandatory report on work carried out at each Executive meeting.

TheWelfareOfficerassistsstudentswithproblemsinareasofaccommodation,childcare,study,health,financesandsocialwelfare.He/Sheworkscloselywithon-campusaccommodationcompaniesandresidentsassociations.He/ShesitsonawiderangeofuniversitycommitteesincludingSafetyCommittee,DisciplineCommitteeandtheUniversityCentrePlanning&ManagementGroup.

TheWelfareOfficeralsoorganisestheWelfareForumandavarietyofhighprofilecampaignssuchasMentalHealthWeekandSHAGWeek.DealingwithindividualstudentqueriesisalargepartoftheWelfareOfficer’sjob.

TheVicePresident/WelfareOfficersitsonthefollowingcommittees:

• DisciplineCommittee

• FinancialAidFundAllocationCommittee

• HealthUnitBoardofDirectors

• CrècheCommittee



Vice President / Education Officeri. S/He shall have ultimate responsibility for the co-ordination of the CRC in conjunction with the relevant staff members.

ii. S/He shall provide a confidential listening and referral service for all Union members.

iii. S/He shall represent members on various University committees.

iv. S/He also has responsibility for keeping the Executive and general student body informed on relevant educational issues.

v. S/He shall be responsible for dealing with individual requests from students.

vi. S/He shall also organise and chair the Education Forum.

vii. S/He shall also be required to give a mandatory report on work carried out at each Executive meeting.

TheEducationOfficerassistsstudentsinareassuchasgrants,exams,thelibraryandcomputerfacilities.He/SheworkswithUniversityManagementtoimproveacademicservicesforstudents.He/ShesitsonavarietyofuniversitycommitteesincludingAcademicCouncil,AcademicStandingCommittee,DisciplineCommitteeandAcademicPlanningResourceCommittee.

TheEducationOfficeralsoco-ordinatestheSUCouncilandorganisestheEducationForum.DealingwithindividualstudentqueriesisalargepartoftheEducationOfficer’sjob.

TheVicePresident/EducationOfficersitsonthefollowingcommittees:

• AcademicCouncil

• ExamAppealsCommittee

• LibraryCommittee



The Equality Officer i. S/He shall have responsibility for the promotion of equal opportunities and equal participation for all members of the Union.

ii. S/He shall initiate relevant campaigns to highlight and address difficulties facing students arising from societal and / or campus inequalities.

iii. S/He shall be responsible for promoting integration in all student activities

iv. S/He shall provide a limited number of hours weekly for the purposes of consultation and referral for Union members.

v. S/He will represent Union members on various University committees.

The Postgraduate Officeri. S/He shall be responsible for developing Union policy on postgraduate education.

ii. S/He shall represent the interests of Postgraduate Students

iii. S/He shall promote their full involvement in the academic and social life of the university community and the University.

iv. S/He shall work primarily in conjunction with the Vice-President / Education Officer.


The Mature Students Officer i. S/He shall represent mature students on campus.

ii. S/He shall promote their full involvement in the academic and social life of the university community.

iii. S/He shall work with the other Students’ Union officers, clubs, societies and the University as a whole to promote the development and integration of mature students at NUI Galway.

The Irish Language Officeri. S/He shall be responsible for the promotion of the Irish language and culture amongst the members of the Union.

ii. S/He shall enforce the policy set out in Article 18.B.

iii. S/He shall support the work of the Irish language societies on campus.

iv. S/He shall be proficient in Irish. The Elections Committee may, before an election, demand an Irish Language Officer candidate to demonstrate his/her fluency and literacy in Irish. The Director of Spoken Irish in NUI Galway (or a person nominated by the Director) shall adjudicate. A lack in fluency or literacy shall deem that candidate ineligible for the position.




The Societies› Chairperson i. S/He shall have the responsibility of liaising between the University’s societies, the Union, and the University.

ii. S/He shall also help and advise societies and voice their concerns and needs on relevant University Committees.

iii. As such, the Union recognises the Societies’ Chairperson as the Chief Representative of the University’s societies.

iv. S/He shall also organise and chair the Societies’ Forum.

The Clubs› Captain S/He shall have the responsibility of liaising between the University’s clubs, the i. Union, and the University.

S/He shall also help and advise clubs and voice their concerns and needs on relevant University Committees.

As such, the Union recognises the Clubs’ Captain as the Chief Representative of the University’s clubs.

S/He shall also organise and chair the Clubs’ Forum.

Students’ Union Council Chairpersoni. S/He shall chair the meetings of the Students’ Union Council

ii. S/He shall represent all class representatives on the Executive Committee.

iii. He/she shall work with the College Convenors to see that each class in the University has a class representative.

College Convenors i. They shall act as the chairpersons of each relevant College Class Representatives Council (‘College Council’).

ii. They shall represent their College’s class representatives and students at the Executive Committee.

iii. They shall work with the Chairperson of Students’ Union Council to see that each class in the University has a class representative.



You will directly impact on the student experienceTheStudents’Unionhasahugeimpactonthelivesofstudents.Whetherit’sfightingforlongerlibraryhoursoverEastersothatyoucancompletethatallimportantdissertation,orbeingpartofanationalcampaignforstudentrights–asaStudents’UnionOfficeryouhavetheabilitytogreatlyaffectthelivesofstudents.

You will help fight for thousands of studentsOneofyourmostimportantroleswillbetorepresentstudents.Fromdiverseissuessuchaslearning&teaching,tostudentsbeingtreatedasequalcitizensinthecommunity,youwillensurethatthestudentvoiceisheardloudandclear.

You will be a leader of a unique organisationAsaStudentLeaderyouwillbeoneofthefifteenpeopleresponsibleforleadingtheStudents’Union.Youwillhavetheopportunitytoshapethedirectionandworkofanorganisationinawayyoumayneverhaveagain.Completewithprofessionalstafftosupportyou,youhaveagreatopportunitytomakesomebigchanges.

Employability and ExperienceBeinginvolvedinthemanagementofanorganisationwithover16,000membersbeforeyouleavecollegeputsyouinagreatposition.Youwilldevelopskillsinleadershipandorganisationandlearnaboutfinances,democracy,education,eventmanagementandawholehostofotherskills.FromnegotiatingagreementswiththeUniversitytogivingpresentationstothousandsofstudents;fromleadingcampaignstocreatepositivechange,toworkingaspartofateamofleaders;theseareskillswhichwillhelpyououtintheincrediblytoughjob-marketandmakeyoustandoutfromthecrowd.Therolesarereallywhatyoumakeofthem;ifyouareelectedyougetthechancetomaketheroleyourown.

Nomatterwhichroleyougofor,you’llgainexperienceofchairingmeetings,leadingcampaigns,managingbudgets,communicatingand team building.

Why Should You Run? Cén fáth ar chóir duit dul san iomaíocht?


Eligibility Areyouaregisteredstudentandhaveyoupaidthestudentlevy?Ifyoucanansweryes(andchancesareyoucan!)thenthat’sit.Youareeligibletoseek nomination.

Choosing a PositionThefirstthingyouneedtodecideiswhetheryouwanttorunforafull-timeorpart-timeposition.Afulltimepositionmeansyou’llhavetotakeayearoutfromyourstudiesifyouarenotduetofinishthissummer.However,part-timepositionsareflexibleandcanfitaroundyourstudies.

Secondly,takealookateachroleandthefulljobdescription.Allpositionsoffervariedresponsibilitiesandexperience.Thinkabouttheskillsyoumighthavethatwouldmakeyouagoodcandidateforaposition.Talktothecurrentofficersabouttheirexperiencesintheroleandwhattheyhaveexperienced.

Nominating yourself Tonominateyourself,youmustcompleteanominationformwiththedetailsandsignaturesofatleast20membersoftheStudents’Union.NominationformsareavailablefromtheStudents’UnionOfficeandStudents’Unionwebsite.CompletednominationformsmustbereturnedtotheStudents’UnionOfficebeforethecloseofnominations.Thedeadlineisverystrict!Don’tleaveituntilthelastminute.Submityournominationformassoonasyouhaveitcompletedandspendtimeplanningyourcampaign.

Remembertogetafewextrapeopletosignyournominationformtoallowforanymistakes.Studentscannominateasmanycandidatesastheywish.

Inadditiontosubmittingyournominationform,youarealsorequiredtosubmitapictureofyourselffortheballotpaper.It’sagoodideatousethesamepicturethatyouwilluseonyourposters.Thepicturemustbeofyou!Animationsorlogoswillnotbeaccepted.

How Do You Run? Cén chaoi ar féidir leat dul san iomaíocht?


Running a CampaignFeachtas a rith

To be successful in an election you will need to convincetheelectoratethatyouarethebestpersonforthejob,andthatyouunderstandstudentsandwillrepresentthemonissuesthatmattertothem.

Theelectioncampaignbeginsat6:00pmontheSundaybeforetheelection.ThatgivesyouSundayeveningandthreefulldaysbeforeElectionDay.Hereareafewthingstoconsiderforyourcampaign:

Campaign Team Torunagoodcampaignitisadvisablethatyougetateamtogethertosupportyou.Yourteamwillprovidevaluablesupporttoyouduringtheelectionweek.Askyourfriendstogiveyouafewhourssupportandarrangetimesthatsuitthem.Somepeoplemightnotwanttohelpwithcanvassing,buttheymightbeabletohelpwithpostering.Getwhateverhelpyoucan!Themorepeopleyoucancommunicatewith,thebetterchanceyouwillhave.AskoneofyourfriendstobeyourCampaignManager.Itwillbetheirjobtohandlelogisticsandmanageyourcampaignteam.

Manifesto Yourmanifestooutlinesyourpolicies,plansandideasforwhatyouwoulddoifelected.TalktoyourfriendsandclassmatesaboutwhattheywouldliketoseetheStudents’Uniondo.Thinkaboutwhatyourplansandhowyouwouldgoaboutimplementingthem.Youdon’tneedtothinkofallthedetails,butyoushouldavoidmakingbroadsweepingpromiseswithouthavingsomethoughbehindthem.Aboveall,makesureyour manifesto is relevant to students.

Yourmanifestoshouldalsoincludesomethingaboutyourselfandwhyyouarethebestpersonforthepositionyouareseeking.Includeaphotosopeopleknowwhoyouare.Forconsistency,itisagoodideatousethesamephotothatwillappearontheballotpaper.

Speak to Students Talkingtostudentsisthenumberonemethodforconvincingthemtovoteforyou.Posters,flyersandT-Shirtswillonlydosomuch.Youneedto get out and canvass voters. Most election candidateswilltellyouit’sthehardestpartofanelection,butit’salsothemostimportantpart.Takesometimetothinkaboutwhatyouwanttosaytovoters.Themostobviousquestionyou’llbeaskedisanybodyshouldvoteforyou,somakesureyouhaveananswerready.Talkingtostudentsdoesnotmeanshovingaflyerintheirface:itmeansdialogue,askingquestionsandcommunicatingyourpoliciesandideas.Don›tforgettobalancetheneedtoengagewiththeneedtobeefficient–youwillneedtoreachalotofpeopleinashortspaceoftime.Thisiswheresloganscancomeinhandy,especiallyifitjogssomeone›smemorywhentheyarelookingdownalonglistofnamesonaballotpaper.Lectureshoutoutsarealsoagoodideaforspeakingtoalotofstudents,butyouwillneedthelecturer’spermissionfirst.

Studentswanttoknowwhatyouplantodoandhowitwillaffectthem.Simplysaying“voteforme”isnotenough.Youneedtosaywhy.Referringtosomethingyouarealreadydoing(beforeyou›veevenbeenelected)orsomethingyouhavealreadydoneisagreatwaytoshowthatyoumeanwhatyousay.


Posters, leaflets and other promotional materialMakesureyourpromotionalmaterialiseye-catchingandgivesaclearmessagetostudents.Checkthattherearenospellingorgrammaticalerrorsandthatyournameappearsclearly!Itsoundsobvious,butbesuretofactorinsometimetogetfeedback(andfreeproofreading!)from your friends.

T-Shirtsarealwaysverypopular,especiallyduringfull-timeelections.BerealisticwhenorderingT-Shirts.Counthowmanypeopleyouactuallyhaveonyourcampaignteamandavoidoverbuying.RememberthatT-Shirtsareonlyeffectivewhenthey’reseen,sotrytorecyclethemamongstyourcampaignteamandfriendswhoareactuallyoncampusduringelectionweek.YoucanmakeyourownT-Shirtsverycheaply,oryoucanhavethemprofessionallyprinted.AdverteesisalocalT-ShirtprintingcompanywhosupportmanyStudents’Unionactivitieswithgreatdeals. Checkoutwww.tees.ie

Social media and websites are also great promotionaltools,butremembertostickwithintherules.Websitesorsocialmediapagesarenotpermittedtogoliveuntilthecampaignofficiallybeginsat6:00pmontheSundaybeforetheelection.

Follow the rulesSchedule1oftheStudents’UnionConstitutionoutlinestherulesgoverningpublicityinStudents’Unionelections.Readthemandmakesureyourcampaignteamreadsandunderstandsthem.Also,rememberthattheUniversityCodeofConductandgenerallawsalsoapply!Ifitwasnotallowedlastweek,itisnotallowedduringelection week.

Youwillbeheldresponsibleforallelementsofyourcampaign,soalwayserronthesideofcautionifyouarenotsureaboutsomething.Don’tmissoutonbeingelectedbecauseyouthoughtitwouldbeokaytobreaktherules.Whileyou’retryingtojustifyanactionthatprobablydidn’tresultinanyextravotes,yourcompetitorswill canvassing and winning votes.

Work hard!ForgetHouseofCards!Donotwastetimetryingtodevisecunningplansanddeviousstrategies.Thecandidateswhohavebeenelectedinrecentyearshavebeenthecandidateswhohaveworkedhardest.Focusonyourowncampaignanddon’tmissanopportunitytoapproachstudentsoncampusorknockondoors.

Remember the DateDon’tforgettotellpeoplewhentovote.Despitethecampuswidepromotion,youareboundtomeetsomebodyaftertheelectionwhowillpromisetovoteforyou!IncludethedateoftheelectiononyourcampaignmaterialsandremindstudentsthatNUIGalwayIDisrequiredtovote.



Be considerateAvoiddoinganythingthatwillannoyoroffendvoters.Makingnoiseoutsidethelibrarymightseem like a great idea to attract attention to your campaign,butyouwilllosemorevotesthanyouwill gain.

Askyourcampaignteamtoavoidcongregatinginlargegroupsatpollingareas.Youwillreachmorevotersbyspreadingyourteamacrosscampus.

Lecture Shout Outs Thisisthebestwaytotalktolargegroupsofstudents,butremembertokeepitshortandalwaysaskthelecturer’spermission.

Manage your time. Trytokeepyourdiaryasclearaspossibleduringelectionweek.Rearrangeanypersonalcommitmentsandifyouhaveapart-timejob,trytoarrangesometimeoff.Besuretogetenoughrest.Beingtiredandcrankydoesn’tmixwellwithcanvassing!

Be graciousWhetheryouwinorlose,you’llinteractwithalotofpeople.Makesureyou’regraciousatalltimes,especiallytoyoursupporters,butalsotoyouropponents.

Run your campaign, not your opponent’sWhenyou’recanvassing,givepeoplereasonstovoteforyou,asopposedtoreasonsnottovoteforyouropponent.Stayfocussedongettingvotes for yourself.

First Preference isn’t everything!Rememberthatfirstpreferenceisn’teverything!TheStudents’UnionelectionsareconductedundertheSingleTransferableVoteProportionalRepresentationSystemsobesuretocanvassstudentsforsecondorthirdpreferencesifthey’vealreadycommittedtosupportingyouropponent.

Make every vote countPollinghoursare10:00amto8:00pm.Don’tmakethemistakeoffinishingearly.Onaverage,184votesarecastinthelasttwohoursofpolling.Toputthatincontext,thewinningmarginhasbeenlessthanthatamountinmorethanfive

electionsoverthepastthreeyears.

Winning isn’t everythingItisimportanttorememberthatmorepeopleloseelectionsthanwin.Thinkaboutwhatyou get from running in an election. Not only doesitlookgoodonyourCV,butyoualsogetsomegreatexperienceworkingtodeadlines,managingabudget,beingcreative,managingvolunteers,publicspeakingandrunningacampaign.

Also,thereisaspecificsetofprinciplesthatyoucareabout,yougettogivethoseissuesarealplatformbyrunninginanelection.



Moststudentsavailof,orbenefitfrom,aStudents’Unionserviceeveryday.Whetherit’shavingapintintheCollegeBarorgettinghelpappealinganexamresult,theStudents’Unionplaysabiggerpartinstudents’livesthanmoststudentsrealise.However,manystudentsarenotawarethattheStudents’Unionisademocraticorganisationandthatitisrunbyordinarystudentswhoareelectedeachyear.

Hereareafewmythsandmisconceptionsaboutrunning in an election and being a Students’ UnionOfficer.

“You need to have been involved in the Students’ Union before you can run in an election”Noyoudon’t!ManyStudents’Unionofficers’electioncampaignistheirfirstinvolvementintheStudents’Union!Fulltrainingandhandoverisprovidedtoensureyougetuptospeedbeforeyou start.

“I’m not popular enough to win”Itisnotaboutpopularity!Thecampaignbeginsat6:00pmonSundayeveningandtheelectiontakesplaceonThursday.Thatgivesplentyoftimetoknockondoors,gotabletotableinthecanteenandCollegeBarandtalktothousandsofstudents.Addinafewhoursfromyourfriendstohangpostersandyouwillbeaswell-knownasanyothercandidate.Hardworktrumpspopularityinanyelection.

“You have to spend a fortune on a campaign”Nottrue!Theelectionregulationsprohibitgiftsandpromotionalitems,soevenifyouwanttospendmoney,you’llfinditdifficult!Mostcandidatesprintpostersandflyers,andwithalittletimespentcontactingprinters,you’llbesurprisedwhatyoucangetforyourmoney.Useyourmaterialswiselyandyouwillkeepyourcosts to a minimum.

“My class are on work experience, so they won’t be able to vote for me”RemoteVoteisasystemthatallowsstudentstovoteonlineduringnormalpollinghours.There’sonlyonerequirement–studentsmustregistertouseRemoteVoteinthedaysleadinguptotheelection.Onceregistered,studentscanvoteonlinefromanywhereduringpollinghours.

“Students’ Union Officers can’t achieve anything in a year”Officerscandefinitelyachieveconsiderablesuccesswithinayear–whetherit’slobbyingtheUniversityforimprovedservicesororganisingmajorevents,theirinfluencecanbefeltthroughoutallaspectsofuniversitylife.Ofcoursetherearesomethingsthatyoumaynotfullyachievewithinyourterm,butthatdoesn’tmeantheyceasetoexist!

“Final year students can’t run in elections”TheonlycriteriontoruninanelectionisthatyouareamemberoftheStudents’Unionatthetimeoftheelection.

Busting the Myths! Na scéalta gan bhunús a dhíbirt


The Rules Na rialacha

TherulesgoverningelectionsareoutlinedinSchedule1oftheStudents’UnionConstitution.ThemainrulesregardingpublicityarecontainedinSchedule1,SectionG.AcopyoftheStudents’UnionConstitutionisavailableontheStudents’Unionwebsite.

Ifyou’renotsurewhethersomethingispermittedornot,[email protected]

Section G:PublicityinconnectionwithElectionsandBy-Elections

1. Candidates should be aware of the University Postering Policy and the Student Code of Conduct.

2. Candidates may not distribute any gifts, promotional products, vouchers, food items, passes or tickets to promote their candidature. Only printed material and personalised campaign T Shirts may be used. Competitions and the awarding of prizes are also prohibited.

3. Sponsorship or endorsement by a third party (with the exception of promotion by another nominated candidate) is not permitted in any form by candidates or persons associated with a candidate’s campaign. Promotional material must not include branding, names or logos of any third party (with the exception of promotion of another nominated candidate).

4. A candidate shall not distribute, nor cause to have distributed, any promotional material until 6:00pm on the Sunday before the election. Promotion via any websites is also prohibited until that time.

5. No canvassing or any like activity shall take place in the immediate vicinity of the ballot box as determined by the Returning Officer.

6. Candidates may not use animals to promote their campaign.

7. Each candidate, or their nominee, must attend a daily meeting with the Elections Committee for the duration of the election campaign.

8. If complaints are received by the Elections Committee regarding the behaviour of a candidate, the Elections Committee shall have the deciding authority to deem that candidate ineligible for election to any post on the Executive Committee.

9. Any candidate who does not comply with the provisions of this Section of the Constitution shall be deemed ineligible for election to any post on the Executive Committee of the Union for that set of elections.

10. The Elections Committee will interpret the Election Regulations as they see fit and the decision of the Elections Committee is final.

StudentscanvoteinpersonataPollingStation,orelectronicallybyusingRemoteVote.

PollingstationsandopeningtimesofspecificstationswillbeadvertisedbytheStudents’Unioninadvanceoftheelection.Tovoteatapollingstation,astudentneedstopresenttheirNUIGalwayID.Nootherformofidentificationwillsuffice.


Polling hours are 10:00am - 8:00pm.

Remote VoteRemoteVoteisafacilitytoallowstudentstovoteonline.It’sparticularlyusefulforstudentsonsatellitecampusesandstudentsonworkplacement,butit’savailabletoanystudent.ThesystemisaccessedviatheStudents’Unionwebsiteandiseasy,secureandconfidential.Studentssimplyloginusingtheircampusaccount.TheonlyrequirementisstudentsmustregistertouseRemoteVotebeforeElectionDay.

Ifstudentsdonotregisterinadvance,theywillnotbeabletousetheRemoteVotefacility.

Students’ Union elections are conducted under the Single Transferable Vote

Proportional Representation System (Electoral Act of Ireland 1923, Amendment Act 1963).

Voting vótáil


3,140 Average Turnout in Full-Time Elections

1,941 Highest Number of First Preferences Received by a Single Candidate – President 2012

31 Amount of First Preference Votes between First and Second Candidates – VP Education 2014

940 Average Turnout in Part-Time Elections

279 Votes Cast Using Remote Vote (Full-Time Elections 2014)

224 Average Number of Votes Cast in First Hour of Polling

Election Statistics Staitisticí maidir le toghcháin


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Results 2014 Torthaí 2014

PresidentQuota:1,622

Candidate 1st Count

Higgins,Declan 1,734

McDonnell,Jack 827

Duff,Stephen 324

O’Donnell,Paul 213

Moran,Cian 110

RON 34

Vice President Education OfficerQuota:1,566

Candidate 1st Count 2nd Count

Kelly,Phelim 1,510 1,524

Conor Fitzgibbon 1,479 1,491

RON 142 -

Vice President Welfare OfficerQuota:1,573


NíShúilleabháin,Aoife 1,466 1,771

O’Dowd,Alan 1,013 1,143

McDonald,Patrick 600 -

RON 64 -


PresidentQuota:1,622


Kelly,Phelim 1,734 1,298

Picard,Karl 996 1,152

Doyle,Ross 283

Moran,Cillian 193

McLoughlin,Cian 60

Re-openNominations 32

Vice President Education OfficerQuota:1,566

Candidate 1st Count

Melvin,Rebecca 1,417

Duffy,Joanne 1,086

Re-openNominations 81

Vice President Welfare OfficerQuota:1,573


McGovern,Jimmy 1,254 1,483

Reilly,Megan 739 938

Broderick,Shane 585 -

Re-openNominations 26 -

Results 2015 Torthaí 2015


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Documents

NUIGSU Election Booklet