This log outlines the decisions made by the deputy returning officers and returning officer throughout the duration of the election.
This includes decisions related to complaints as well as procedural decision and will be updated throughout the elections campaign.
Sabbatical Officer Briefing
- Date: 08/01/2026
- Status: Closed ❌
This is the first year Oxford SU has enabled Sabbatical Officers to re-run in the annual Leadership Elections. This briefing covered the organisation’s expectations on a fair election, requirement to take annual leave during campaigning and to not use SU platform to promote their election.
Officers of the Students’ Union and slate participation
- Date: 30/01/2026
- Status: Open
We have consulted with our Returning Officer (NUS) and would like to communicate the following:
A re-running Officer can run on a slate, which may be viewed as endorsement for other candidates. The Returning Officer’s broad view is that this in itself does not constitute material advantage above and beyond what would be gained by any other candidate. An Officer of the Students' Union cannot endorse any candidate utilising material SU resources, and this would include official SU social media platforms, mailing lists, SU print materials or anything else deemed an unfair advantage by the DRO.
We would like to make clear that being on a slate and endorsing others could leave Officers open to complaints under Election Rule 5.1, which would have to be looked at on an individual basis to whether unfair resource use or advantage is at play. Complaints of this nature will be reviewed with the RO.
Candidate Briefing
- Date: 02/02/2026
- Status: Open
Candidates who did not attend the briefing will be subject to active campaign ban until such a time as they complete the briefing.