LGB Election in chaos
The Oxford University LGB society was embroiled in controversy last week over the election of a new president. One of the nominations was a joint ticket for co-chairs, which is strictly against rules put in place by the proctors several years ago.
The joint nomination by Rebecca Eden (Christ Church) and Lee Rowley (Lincoln) was made to the returning officers of the election early last week. The returning officers deemed that the nomination was valid and would be included on the ballot paper, even if the Proctors later determined that the two could not hold joint office.
The pair won the election by a narrow margin, and submitted a request to the proctors to be allowed to stand in joint office as co-chairs of the society. The verdict of the request is due later this week, and if the victory is invalidated by the rulings of the proctors then a by-election will be held this Thursday.
Current LGB President Craig Knott commented that "the election has been turned into a farcical affair owing to the poor judgment of the returning officers. The joint nomination should not have been allowed in the first place given that it contravenes the rules governing the society." When asked what he thought about the rules allowing only a single president Knott commented: "I think it is only proper that there should be a single person who takes charge and is responsible for the society."
1st Jun 2001