A vice-presidential (student issues) candidate in this year’s Carleton University Students’ Association (CUSA) election was dropped from the ballot after what he said was a misunderstanding with the elections office. Adey Almohsen, a third-year political science and religion major running independently for the position, said he e-mailed and messaged chief electoral officer Sagal Osman on Facebook Feb. 7 asking if he would receive reimbursement for his campaign costs should he drop out of the race.
After he did not receive a response he said he called the elections office Feb. 8, where he spoke with deputy returning officer Matt Dick, who instructed him to e-mail his query to the elections office. Almohsen said he was later called into the elections office, Feb. 8, by Osman and told his question was taken to mean he was withdrawing his candidacy and that his name had not been put on the ballots, which had already been sent off to be printed.
Osman confirmed that Almohsen’s name is not on the ballot, but could not comment. Almohsen said he was told he was still allowed to campaign, but as it stands, voters do not have the option to vote for him. He submitted an appeal to the electoral board, asking that his name be placed back on the ballot. In an e-mail to the elections office, he cites section 18.2 of the electoral code, which states, “Candidates may voluntarily withdraw from the ballot until three days before balloting begins.”
He said even if he wanted to withdraw from the race Feb. 7, it would not have been allowed under the code.
On Feb. 9, the electoral board responded to Almohsen with the decision that the ruling would stand. If Almohsen decides to appeal the decision, he must go to the constitutional board with his request.