Two STUSU election candidates disqualified

Two candidates’ names in the St. Thomas University students’ union election won’t be on the ballot come election day.

After missing a required all-candidates meeting on Monday morning at 9 a.m., chief returning officer Sarah Bulman disqualified Ryan Smith and Frank Jr. Molley. Molley was running for president and Smith was running for a board of governors position.

“After repeated notifications about the meeting they violated the by-law,” said Bulman.

The STUSU by-laws state:

S.3. Candidates in Students’ Union elections shall, and may be disqualified for failure to meet these requirements:

(h) Attend the candidates’ meeting which occurs on the day between nominations and campaigning, or make alternative arrangements suitable to the Chief Returning Officer should they not be able to attend

Bulman said more details will be available in a report she will write about the whole election after it is finished.

Bulman said no candidates have been disqualified since she started as CRO in fall 2010.

We’re waiting to hear back from the two candidates involved.