By Tony Care
Five stray posters almost cost him the election, but John Riccardelli will have one more chance to reign as president of the Business Students’ Association.
The RSU Course Union Committee has overturned a decision to disqualify Riccardelli, a second-year Business Management student, from the BSA presidential race. A second election has been scheduled for next week.
“I’m relieved and happy about the decision,” Riccardelli said. “I understand I broke a rule but it wasn’t done maliciously.”
The RSU heard an appeal on Monday to determine whether Riccardelli’s failure to remove five posters from the basement of the business building on election day last week was sufficient reason for disqualification. The board, made up of four members, unanimously reversed Chief Returning Officer Maria Gianni’s decision.
“It’s important for all the students to have a say, that’s what we’re here for,” said Board of Governors member Ben Sinclair. “I reached my decision on the basis that five posters aren’t going to affect the voting of the BSA.”
The RSU’s decision comes as a relief to Riccardelli, who has maintained he didn’t know the five posters were in the basement. He claims his friend put them there, but forgot to tell him.
“I’m happy that RSU is taking over this election because it will be fair.”
Current president and Business Management study Carmine Preziuso is in a state of disbelief after the decision. It was Preziuso who issued a formal complaint to Gianni about the posters on election day. He was awarded the presidency after Riccardelli was disqualified, because he was the only other candidate. Preziuso thought it was an open and shut case.
“There’s no consistency in RSU, plain and simple,” Preziuso said. “What I see from this board is the CRO of RSU is much more important than the CRO of the students’ groups, and decisions can be overturned just like that.”
The controversy began on Feb. 22 before the polls opened. Preziuso’s friend informed him that five of Riccardelli’s posters were still up. Preziuso then gave Gianni a written complaint about the posters. At 1:30 p.m. Gianni confronted Riccardelli with the problem, and after a five minute discussion, disqualified him.
The committee’s decision to hold another election is consistent with the rules, which clearly state that campaigning is not permitted inside, outside or anywhere near the school on voting days. Candidates may distribute pamphlets reminding students to vote, as long as there is no endorsement of any candidate. Failure to comply will result in disqualification.
While the wording is clear, the problem lies with the definition of “campaigning.” Dana Shaw, Course Union Director, did not view the five posters in the basement as part of Riccardelli’s campaign.
“There’s no real definition of the word “campaigning” Shaw said. “In my personal opinion, my interpretation is that five posters does not constitute campaigning.” Shaw also said it was a mistake for Gianni to stop the election and not allow the BSA students to finish voting.
However if Gianni had to do it all over again, she wouldn’t change her decision.
“I was in a no-win (situation),” said Gianni. “He (Riccardelli) broke one of the rules and if I did not disqualify him, the other candidate Carmine (Preziuso) would complain that I was being biased. I had to do it.”
RSU has taken over the election and on Friday will announce a new CRO. Campaigning for the two candidates will be on March 13 and 14 and the voting will be done on the 15 and 16. RSU is taking no chances this time around and will only have one polling station.
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