NUS Referendum Campaigning Rules

Oversight/Complaints

1. The Union’s Returning Officer is Clare Oakley, former Camden Council Electoral Services Manager. They oversee the fair conduct of the referendum, interpret the Bye-Laws to rule on complaints, and oversee the count of the referendum.
2. Any complaints about the referendum process or the conduct of students must be made no later than 13:00 on Friday 5 May 2023 via this webform: https://studentsunionucl.org/forms/nus-referendum-complaint-form. Complaints not submitted through this webform will not be considered.
3. Complaints will initially be reviewed by the Representation and Democracy Team.
4. The Deputy Returning Officer, Rupinder Sandal (Head of Societies & Projects), in consultation with the Returning Officer as appropriate, shall make a ruling on the matter within 48 hours of receipt of the complaint. They may give the individual the right of reply before making a ruling.
5. Complainants may remain anonymous should they wish.
6. Students and campaigners must follow all UCL and Union guidelines, procedures and rules. If any identifiable UCL student violates said guidelines, procedures and rules; they will face disciplinary action via the Union’s disciplinary process as outlined in the Bye-Laws.

Campaigning

1. Only UCL students can actively campaign on campus as part of the referendum.
2. Students must not remove or damage any campaigning materials
3. Students must follow the Union’s data protection guidance. As part of this guidance, students must not send unsolicited communication to individual students without their consent.
4. Students may criticise the opposing side’s campaign, including reasons for/against remaining affiliated with NUS UK. However, this criticism must never be personal. Students and campaigners must not:
5. Misrepresent an individual or external organisation’s religious, political or other views or actions
   • Intimidate any participant in the referendum, whether that be student, staff, campaigner or anyone else.
   • Deliberately sabotage any campaign.
   • Deface any campaign materials (such as publicity, online media, social networking sites).
   • Make any attempt to influence the impartiality of the Returning Officer or Union staff.
   • Permanently damage any Students’ Union or UCL area or property.
6. Students are responsible for removing their campaign material after the voting period concludes.

Voting

1. No member shall have more than one vote.
2. All voting shall be done by secret ballot and students will have the option to “Abstain”.
3. Students must not make any unsolicited offer to provide a device for a voter to cast votes on.