R. Kelly, one of two presidential candidates for Trinity College Dublin Students’ Union (TCDSU), has been issued a minor strike by the Electoral Commission (EC).
One of her campaign posters was left behind at a kiosk in the Arts Block after campaigning hours, which take place from 10am to 4pm with a one-hour break for lunch.
Kelly will be forbidden from campaigning between 10am and 11am tomorrow, March 2nd, as a result.
In a statement to The University Times, Kelly said: “It is unfortunate to be issued with a strike but we are proud to have run such a clean campaign so far with good intentions in complying with all of the rules. With a big campaign team it can be difficult to make sure we have all materials accounted for all the time but everyone has been so diligent with them throughout the campaign and we are grateful for the commitment and energy our team has maintained throughout.”
“Honest mistakes happen and we will be careful not to make one again”, she added.
Kelly is the fourth candidate to receive a strike for breaching election rules. Yesterday, Ents candidate Ross Donnelly was banned from campaigning for an hour after posting on social media during the mandatory lunch break from 1pm to 2pm.
Donnelly had received permission from the EC to take his in-person break at a different time, but was not aware that all candidates must cease campaigning online between 1pm and 2pm, regardless of when they pause in-person canvassing.
Nadia A received a major strike for campaigning in Goldsmith Hall on Monday February 21st, outside of the allotted campaign hours for that area. Campaigning in person between 6pm and 9pm is only permitted in Trinity Hall.
She was banned from campaigning for four hours last Wednesday, from noon to 1pm, 2pm to 4pm and and 6pm to 7pm.
Speaking to The University Times, A said that her team “weren’t aware” of the rules around evening campaigning only being permitted in Trinity Hall.
Presidential candidate Gabi Fullam also received a strike last week, after her social media posts were shared by another user outside campaigning hours.
Campaigning in person recommenced yesterday after a two-day suspension last week following the death of a student on campus.
The EC made the decision to suspend in-person canvassing as a mark of respect to the deceased student, Mark Melynchuk, as well as in the interest of candidate welfare.
