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News

SGA hopefuls plan complaint

During meeting, candidates express concerns with lack of information given in filing process 

by JEB SCHNEIDER
The Daily Cougar 

Three candidates vying for the same Student Government Association Senate seat said during Wednesday's candidate seminar that they plan to file a complaint with the SGA Election Commission concerning the application process setup. 

Candidates who filed for the 2006 SGA general elections assembled in the University Center's Caribbean Room for a mandatory seminar.

The three candidates -- Brady Alland, Brandon Brewton and Atif Khah -- said they were unable to view materials indicating which College of Liberal Arts and Social Sciences seats had little or no opposition before the filing deadline. This resulted in all three students applying to run for the college's Seat 3 rather than for a less contested CLASS seat, the students said.

Chief Election Commissioner Glory Ngwolo said candidates couldn't change the seat they are running for after the filing deadline.

Candidates who missed the meeting have 24 hours to submit a written explanation for their absence or they could be dropped from the ballot, Ngwolo said.

Ngwolo reviewed portions of the SGA Election Code and reminded candidates to file campaign financial disclosures by the March 3 deadline. SGA President David Williams explained that senators' responsibilities extend beyond regular attendance at the bi-monthly SGA meetings.

"You are representatives of the SGA and, by extension, of the University," Williams said. "Remember that your behavior as candidates and senators is a great responsibility and should be treated as such."

Ngwolo said marketing or campaign violations by candidates or their representatives could result in being removed from the ballot.

"Different colleges have different rules regarding campaigning and posting," Ngwolo said. "If a friend of yours stands in front of the class and urges people to vote for a particular candidate, that candidate will suffer the consequences."

Candidates are not allowed to deliberately remove or deface another candidate's campaign materials or violate University, college and departmental policies regarding campaigning. 

Campaign spending is limited to $100 for each college senator and $500 for campuswide seats. Ngwolo said these amounts include donated items.

Students can file complaints regarding a violation or suspected violation of campaign rules at the SGA election commissioner's office in the UC Underground. Complaints should be filed within two days of the violation. 

The general election starts at 8 a.m. Thursday and ends at 8 p.m. March 9. 

Students can vote at www.studentelection.uh.edu

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