HWUSA and NSA presidents to run for re-election

The bulk of nominees for Edinburgh, Queen Margaret, Heriot-Watt and Napier student election campaigns have come forward with two presidents running for re-election and candidates announced.

At Heriot-Watt University, current president Simon Eltringham is preparing to run for a second term against Daniel Magee.

The Senior Vice President nominees are Murray Hope and Louise Macdonald. Michael Bottom has been selected uncontested for a second term as Secretary.

Last year’s election turnout at Heriot-Watt increased by 100 percent as the elections process moved online. This increase has raised the standards of the elections placing more emphasis on voter participation and involvement with candidates.

Simon Eltringham told The Journal: “This year we have focused heavily on improving the communication surrounding the elections. We have continued the excellent work that last year's executive started on a governance review which has seen much more of a focus on Student Voice events, to gather student feedback and opinion as opposed to the previous closed meetings through council.

“This work is still not complete and if re-elected, I know that this is something we will see through fully.”

Edinburgh Napier students will also be seeing some familiar faces on the ballot box as President Kasia Bylinska is also running for a second term against Nathan Sparling, who has also been confirmed to be running for the NUS Scotland presidency.

Chris Malseed, Reese Campbell, and Justyna Paslawska were nominated as candidates for Treasurer and Officer of Student Activities.

At the time of going to press, Queen Margaret University and Edinburgh College of Art had not yet reached their nominations deadline.

However, according to insider information The Journal can reveal, Megan O’Carroll and Jamie Graham will be running a joint campaign against Christy McMonagle and Blaine Murphy.

Edinburgh University Students’ Association has a three way race for the presidency with Liz Rawlings, who narrowly missed out on securing the position last year, running against Laura-Jayne Baker and Kristopher Keane.

“Last year the elections were massively competitive, and I’m sure we will have a similar turnout this year,” current president Thomas Graham told The Journal.

Edinburgh College of Art have not released any information concerning nominees, however current president Jake Rusby, who returned unopposed last year, confirmed he will not be running again.

Polls open at Heriot-Watt on 24 February, the University of Edinburgh on 3 March, and Edinburgh Napier on 8 March.