Editor’s note: This article has been updated to include comments from Adam Carroll, the Confidence slate campaign manager.
The Carleton University Students’ Association (CUSA) Elections Office has confirmed that an investigation is underway into the Confidence slate.
Earlier today, One Carleton campaign manager Zameer Masjedee wrote in a post to his Facebook account, “Last night we came to the disturbing conclusion that the “Rank One Carleton Last” Facebook page has been created and operated by campaign staff of the “Confidence” slate.”
In his post, Masjedee alleged that a Confidence campaign member, Jacob Kenney, started the Facebook page and posted content that was also supplied by Adam Carroll, one of the campaign managers for the Confidence slate.
“Rank One Carleton Last” is an anonymous Facebook page that encourages students to rank the One Carleton slate last on their voting ballots through the use of memes.
The Elections Office is currently investigating Masjedee’s claim. Deputy electoral officer Aiden Forsyth said if proven, the actions could be regarded as an electoral violation.
Section 18.14 of the electoral code reads: “If the members of a slate have collectively been found guilty of three or more Electoral Offences, the [chief electoral officer] shall disqualify the entire slate.”
The Confidence slate has already received two violations. Both Donna Al Sououb, the presidential candidate, and vice-president (student services) candidate Diana Idibe received violations on March 19 for failing to provide the proper information in their Instagram bios.
Forsyth also said if the claims are proven, they could be considered “egregious.”
According to the electoral code, slates can be immediately disqualified in instances where they, “[commit] an offence which is deemed to be egregious by the CEO.”
Forsyth said it would be left up to the interpretation of the chief electoral officer, Nada Ibrahim.
Carroll said he is “hesitant” to comment at this time because he doesn’t want his team to incur an electoral offence.
“In the social media guidelines that our team was given, we are not allowed to discuss complaints that we’ve submitted, or any evidence that has been submitted to the Elections Office,” he said.
When asked if this investigation could lead to a disqualification of the Confidence slate, Forsyth said “maybe.”
In a later statement from the Confidence slate, Carroll said, “With our campaign, we want to restore your confidence in the students’ association. We aren’t here to make any negative allegations against any individual or any team. We’re here to implement the positivity of our message.”
Carroll continued, “We have a positive vision that we’re promoting as a team, together. At the end of the day I hope voter turnout is as high as it’s ever been, and we’ll do everything within our power to encourage students to vote, and to vote with confidence.”
Photo by Aaron Hemens
