The absence of a Carleton University Students’ Association (CUSA) candidate the night of the electoral debate is making the university’s elections office consider changing its policy, according to Andrea Dark, CUSA chief electoral officer (CEO).
Kevin Pei, a vice-president (finance) candidate with slate Prestige CampusWide, did not participate in the Jan. 28 debate.
He approached Dark during the debate and told her he wanted to pull out, Dark said.
Dark said Pei will be allowed to continue as a candidate in the upcoming election.
Pei said he did not attend the debate because he had a school assignment he needed to work on the same night.
“I am currently overloading six courses and really want to keep my A-plus average,” he said. “I made a tough choice and decided to drop out to finish it.”
Pei said he does not think his absence from the debate will hurt Prestige CampusWide.
“I am pretty happy with how the election has gone so far,” he said.
Dark said the electoral code is silent on whether participation in the debate is mandatory, and said it was up to the CEO to make an administrative decision on Pei’s eligibility.
Dark said the elections office recommends CUSA council to make an amendment to the electoral code in order to clarify the issue for the 2015-16 CUSA elections.
