We are students at ARU and the recent Students' Union elections have been terrifying and unfair.

There were many malpractices that took place. Students on campus had to undergo frightful moments of being stalked outside of campus for votes. Students in self-isolation were put under distress while campaigners knocked on the doors of accommodation halls at night demanding votes. ARU Student staff were threatened and harassed verbally when they confronted such unacceptable behaviour. Some campaigners went as far as snatching other people's phones and voting for themselves/ their candidates!

This is a clear breach of ARU as well as the Government guidelines that mention restricted access on campus for “practice-based subjects that require access to specialist equipment or facilities on campus.” (ARU guidance)

Students who had complained are being asked for evidence, even when they give a description of the offenders and the time that can easily be cross-checked from the campus CCTVs. Sadly, the truth can be verified, but it is chosen not to. Students cannot access the CCTV themselves but the SU can request it. Yet they are putting it on students to hunt for the proof when they can access it with a few emails to security.

We request you to sign this petition if you believe that ARU SU need to open investigations about these unfair practices.

Here are a few testimonials from current students who are bravely stepping forward to speak up against these malpractices:

1. "Candidates stopped me infront of LAB026 and asked me to take my phone out and they voted themselves." 
2. "omg they stopped me yesterday to show me where I have to vote and one of them literally took my phone and voted for himself."
3. "I was in open access area (Cambridge campus), I saw few students came in group and were literally forcing for votes"
4. "I met students from Cambridge campus campaigning on Chelmsford campus 3-4 pm on Wednesday. They were making students scan directly going to students vote login." 
5. "I have seen Cambridge students coming to my campus (Chelmsford) and asking for votes outside the campus streets and on campus too near the Lord Ashcroft building. Candidates used to come continuously each day to my campus" 

If you are a student who has witnessed/experienced any of this bullying and were forced to vote for another candidate, please send us an email on aruelection.complaint@gmail.com  

We would like to support you by making your voice heard!