Comments on: The Recent Disqualification and why it hurts the AMS http://ubcinsiders.ca/2009/02/the-recent-disqualification-and-why-it-hurts-the-ams-2/ Separating the wheat from the chaff. Wed, 13 Nov 2019 15:50:57 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.1.2 By: Tanja http://ubcinsiders.ca/2009/02/the-recent-disqualification-and-why-it-hurts-the-ams-2/comment-page-1/#comment-10104 Tanja Sun, 08 Feb 2009 22:02:43 +0000 http://ubcinsiders.ca/wp/2009/02/the-recent-disqualification-and-why-it-hurts-the-ams-2/#comment-10104 Let’s get over the nonsense that the current post-elections controversy is the result of EA bias. What’s happening right now is the result of vague and incoherent election code that does not serve the interests of students and candidates. The question of what an 'apparent slate' is needs to be answered, in detail, by current council so that Rehal and all future EAs have a set of coherent rules to enforce. Candidates have a right to submit complaints and the EA has a duty to examine evidence and rule accordingly. If there is strong evidence of another ‘apparent slate’ this needs to be addressed immediately, I hope that anyone with compelling evidence will step forward and present it. We need to guarantee that the AMS is run by honest candidates who conduct themselves by the rules designed to ensure that they are accountable to us at all times. Finally do not forget that we owe a debt of gratitude to Rehal, who in an incredibly limited time put together an election that saw the highest voter turnout in 2 decades. Three cheers for our EA. Let’s get over the nonsense that the current post-elections controversy is the result of EA bias. What’s happening right now is the result of vague and incoherent election code that does not serve the interests of students and candidates. The question of what an ‘apparent slate’ is needs to be answered, in detail, by current council so that Rehal and all future EAs have a set of coherent rules to enforce. Candidates have a right to submit complaints and the EA has a duty to examine evidence and rule accordingly. If there is strong evidence of another ‘apparent slate’ this needs to be addressed immediately, I hope that anyone with compelling evidence will step forward and present it. We need to guarantee that the AMS is run by honest candidates who conduct themselves by the rules designed to ensure that they are accountable to us at all times. Finally do not forget that we owe a debt of gratitude to Rehal, who in an incredibly limited time put together an election that saw the highest voter turnout in 2 decades. Three cheers for our EA.

]]> By: Amanda Reaume http://ubcinsiders.ca/2009/02/the-recent-disqualification-and-why-it-hurts-the-ams-2/comment-page-1/#comment-10102 Amanda Reaume Sun, 08 Feb 2009 05:56:30 +0000 http://ubcinsiders.ca/wp/2009/02/the-recent-disqualification-and-why-it-hurts-the-ams-2/#comment-10102 I seem to currently be very committed to procrastinating from writing my thesis, so I will comment. Great breakdown of what has occurred. I'm shocked and disturbed by all of this and want more information, and a viewing of the video in question!<br/><br/>It seems to me that the majority of voters (let alone the majority of the VFM community - who actually followed the election) had no idea that Frederick 'ran' as part of a slate. If this 'slate' was so hush, hush that no one knew about it, it's arguable that it effected the election. Or that it actually existed in any real sense - or at least not in the sense that the election by-law meant to guard against. <br/><br/>What seems more likely, is that Blake violated the slate election rule in a one-time videotaped occurrence by suggesting that he supported other candidates, or that they were running together. I say that it was probably a one time occurrence, because if it happened more frequently... people wouldn't be so surprised by all this. The VFM community would not be so perplexed. <br/><br/>So, what is an appropriate punishment for such an infraction? Did this indeed make the difference in getting Frederick elected? Does suggesting that you're running with other people once constitute a 'slate' even though the most diligent election watchers didn't notice your 'slate-itude'? <br/><br/>This is an election that was decided on less than 50 votes, so it's understandable that Monegro would be concerned and also complain. It's important that elections are fair. I'm not sure if I agree with the punishment though. The AMS finally gets a record amount of students to vote and then promptly invalidates the results of that vote by disqualifying the president-elect? I remember now why I've stayed away from student government during my two UBC degrees, despite being very active on campus. <br/><br/>Whatever happens, I hope Sarina will not be attacked. She is a wonderful person, a friend and a committed EA. She worked very hard to make this election happen on very short notice and even managed to institute Condorcet! That's an achievement in itself, and one that was accomplished as a notoriously underpaid AMS employee. I seem to currently be very committed to procrastinating from writing my thesis, so I will comment. Great breakdown of what has occurred. I’m shocked and disturbed by all of this and want more information, and a viewing of the video in question!

It seems to me that the majority of voters (let alone the majority of the VFM community – who actually followed the election) had no idea that Frederick ‘ran’ as part of a slate. If this ‘slate’ was so hush, hush that no one knew about it, it’s arguable that it effected the election. Or that it actually existed in any real sense – or at least not in the sense that the election by-law meant to guard against.

What seems more likely, is that Blake violated the slate election rule in a one-time videotaped occurrence by suggesting that he supported other candidates, or that they were running together. I say that it was probably a one time occurrence, because if it happened more frequently… people wouldn’t be so surprised by all this. The VFM community would not be so perplexed.

So, what is an appropriate punishment for such an infraction? Did this indeed make the difference in getting Frederick elected? Does suggesting that you’re running with other people once constitute a ‘slate’ even though the most diligent election watchers didn’t notice your ‘slate-itude’?

This is an election that was decided on less than 50 votes, so it’s understandable that Monegro would be concerned and also complain. It’s important that elections are fair. I’m not sure if I agree with the punishment though. The AMS finally gets a record amount of students to vote and then promptly invalidates the results of that vote by disqualifying the president-elect? I remember now why I’ve stayed away from student government during my two UBC degrees, despite being very active on campus.

Whatever happens, I hope Sarina will not be attacked. She is a wonderful person, a friend and a committed EA. She worked very hard to make this election happen on very short notice and even managed to institute Condorcet! That’s an achievement in itself, and one that was accomplished as a notoriously underpaid AMS employee.

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