Elections decision log

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: Closed ❌

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: Closed ❌

Candidates who did not attend the briefing will be subject to active campaign ban until such a time as they complete the briefing.  

 

Candidate Campaign Ban 

• Date: 04/02/2026
• Status: Closed ❌

Full-time Officer candidates who did not receive written permission from their College or Division were not eligible to begin their campaign until this had been actioned. Each candidate returned their permission slips and were able to start campaigning following.  

 

 

President for Postgraduates Candidate Campaign Ban 

• Date: 04/02/2026
• Status: Closed ❌

One of the candidates for the post of President for Postgraduates was given a 24-hour campaign ban following a violation of election rule (this took place 12:00 midday on Wednesday 4th February and concluded 12:00 (midday) on Thursday 5th February: 

4.3 Candidates who currently hold a Sabbatical Officer post and are re-running for election must not campaign online or in person during their working hours unless they are on annual leave.  

The candidate sent an email during work hours and has been communicated with that any further elections violations will constitute a series breach and will result in disqualification. 

Further complaints under 4.5, 5.3, and 7.2.1 were raised.  

Under Election Rule 5.3, no rule was evidenced to be broken. 

For the other two complaints, there was insufficient evidence to proceed with any investigation. 

This decision was appealed to the RO on 09/02 and was upheld. 

President for Postgraduates Candidate Complaint

• Date: 09/02/2026
• Status: Closed ❌

One of the candidates for the post of President for Postgraduates has received a complaint regarding spam messaging that could constitute harassment under Election Rule 4.11 and 7.2.3.  

4.11: Candidates must not harass, intimidate or otherwise coerce voters, nor must they interfere with a student at the point of them casting their vote. 

7.2.3 Harassing or bullying candidates or voters – this may include persistent requests of voters; unduly influencing or intimidating voters in any way. Campaigning in a way that causes deliberate and personal harm or damage to other members. Candidates can critique others' ideas, politics and performance, relevant to the role and campaign. Negative campaigning or personal attacks, including verbal or digital, will not be tolerated. 

At this stage, there has not been sufficient evidence of this behaviour, however, the concerned candidate has been communicated with and reminded of expected behaviour during campaigning.  

All candidates will receive a reminder email stating expected campaign behaviour and signposting to support. 

 

President for Postgraduates Candidate Complaint

• Date: 09/02/2026
• Status: Closed ❌

One of the candidates for the post of President for Postgraduates has received a complaint regarding negative campaigning under Election Rule 7.2.3.  

7.2.3 Harassing or bullying candidates or voters – this may include persistent requests of voters; unduly influencing or intimidating voters in any way. Campaigning in a way that causes deliberate and personal harm or damage to other members. Candidates can critique others' ideas, politics and performance, relevant to the role and campaign. Negative campaigning or personal attacks, including verbal or digital, will not be tolerated. 

We recognise that elections can be competitive; however, we expect all candidates to conduct their campaigns in a fair, respectful, and courteous manner. 

The candidate has been instructed to remove any messages or materials that denounce another candidate and to refrain from engaging in this form of campaigning going forward. Failure to comply may result in further disciplinary action. The candidate has also been instructed to make a correction statement. 

This ruling serves as a formal written warning to the candidate. 

12/02 - The candidate did not respond with confirmation of the correction. As a result, they have received a 3-hour campaign ban on the final day of voting.

Student Group Endorsement Complaint

• Date: 09/02/2026
• Status: Closed ❌

Complaints were raised regarding a student group that endorsed multiple candidates via its email newsletter and an associated social event.  

5.3 Endorsements from common rooms, societies and other student groups must be obtained fairly - for example ensuring that the decision to endorse a candidate has been taken in line with that group’s constitution, bye-laws or other rules. 

5.5 Candidates cannot self-proclaim endorsements without any evidence of the original endorsement. E.g. a candidate may reshare a social media post endorsing their campaign, but they cannot simply post themselves that they have been endorsed. 

4.14 Candidates cannot use official College, University, or Students’ Union mailing lists to communicate with voters. 

Further complaints were raised under 4.1 and 4.4.  

The SU recognises this group as a student group, despite not being an affiliated society. The group’s constitution allows for the President to make personal endorsements via its mailing list without the approval of its executive committee.  

The emails sent by the student group evidence endorsements, in line with the group’s constitution.  

The emails were sent using a student group mailing list, which does not apply to 4.14. 

Further complaints under 4.1 and 4.4 had insufficient evidence for a decision to be made. 

 

Sabbatical Officer Endorsement

• Date: 12/02/2026
• Status: Closed ❌

A video endorsement was jointly posted by a current Sabbatical Officer and candidate on Instagram. 

5.1 Candidates cannot be endorsed by Sabbatical Officers, Part-Time Officers or Trustees completing their term at the time of the election. 

This constituted a breach of Election Rule 5.1. 

The complaint was received shortly before the close of voting, and the endorsement occurred approximately one hour prior to the close of polls. 

It was ruled that the breach did not materially impact the election outcome. 

The matter is closed; however, rules will be reviewed to ensure future compliance.