A New RRRA has been declared the winner of the second and final round of the Rideau River Residence Association (RRRA) elections held March 12.
The new RRRA executive will consist of president Sidney Otoboeze, vice-president (administration) Daniel Shalinsky, and vice-president (programming) Kendra Kading.
A New RRRA beat their opponents, United and Students First, with 400 votes versus 334 and 227 votes respectively.
In the previous election, team Undivided (now team United) had won over A Team You Can Trust (now Students First) by 606 to 491 votes.
The new winning slate, formerly known as Rez-Solution, had its disqualification from the previous election overturned by RRRA’s constitutional board, resulting in a new election.
RRRA president Omar Bainto said that Rez-Solution’s disqualification was due to violations of budget and bribery involving Timbits, as well as those of bribery involving liquor and Carleton University Students’ Association candidacy violations.
There were more complaints received by RRRA during the second election campaigning period regarding two separate incidents at Oliver’s Pub, both of which involved alleged misconduct by A New RRRA’s campaign manager John Mesman.
However, chief electoral officer David Valentin said the complaints were not validated.
“It is disappointing that we had to validate some violations for the previous election, but it all seems to have worked out well in the end.”
Valentin also said the second round of elections has received roughly the same number of votes as the first round did.
Newly elected president Otoboeze said he doesn’t have the words to describe how the team feels.
“Justice has been served, and I am well and truly thankful and humbled by the support students have shown [A New RRRA] though the entire electoral process,” he said.
“For me, this win is a challenge to work extremely hard and see that all our promises are fulfilled to ensure that students truly have A New RRRA next year.”
