RoN rides again at EUSA

With the Edinburgh University Student Association's October by-elections on the horizon, the democratic impact of co-ordinated RoN (Re-open Nominations) voting is being examined once again.

After heavy disruption in last year's election, EUSA have taken steps in their new constitution to limit RoN's influence.

The current system is effectively a 'none of the above' option that allows students to avoid voting for candidates that they feel are not suited to the position, particularly for single-seat positions like the sabbatical officers.

In EUSA's March election, RoN came second in the ballot for ordinary undergraduate representatives, meaning that only one position out of ten was filled. The nine unfilled positions are now to contested in this month's by-election.

The current system means that if RoN is elected, all the candidates that place after RoN lose. Additionally, RoN is able to run in numerous elections - whereas candidates standing for election usually only stand for one position - and RoN is able to dominate.

Mike Williamson, vice president of Academic Affairs at EUSA told The Journal: "Personally I think the system we currently use makes RoN far too strong, because if it is elected once, it wins all the remaining seats, rather than just one. I don't think that is a very accurate reflection of the views of the electorate. But the decision is not mine."

To prevent a repeat of the March elections, RoN's power is to be heavily circumscribed. RoN will be re-introduced as a separate candidate once elected in an election of multiple candidates. This means that RoN being elected first, second or any other position will not discount all other candidates who place after it in a vote.

It has also been suggested that the system should be changed to 'Reintroducible RoN', which will mean that when RoN is elected, only one candidate is removed rather than multiple candidates.

There are 80 seats available in this year’s by-elections and EUSA are hoping that the steps taken to control RoN will make the process run smoothly and ensure that it is fair for all candidates.

The decision on whether to switch to ‘Reintroducible RoN’ will be made by the senior member of the Board of Trustees. However, this decision will not be made until after the upcoming by-elections.

The system is not unique to EUSA. Andrew Wildgoose, a former presidential candidate at Napier Students' Association, told The Journal: “This system is obviously in place for a good reason, but whether it is effective is another issue; it can be abused and used in a bitter way.”