Information for Candidates heading with elections logo and speaker

Information for Candidates

This page contains information you will find useful as a candidate in the Leadership Elections 2024. It is a useful resource during and after the elections and you're strongly encouraged to read before running. Everyone standing for a position will be required to indicate that they have read the rules of the election before being allowed to participate. Candidates can do this by ticking a box on eVoting to indicate they have read and agreed to the elections declaration. If you have any questions, please contact the Elections Team. 

On this page:

Candidates' Pack & Election Rules

Imperial College Union's elections are governed by rules that ensure fairness and accessibility while rewarding energy and enthusiasm. By nominating yourself for a role, you agree that you have read and understood all of the relevant rules and policies. 

Read Candidates' Pack 

All candidates can attend the Candidates Briefing which will take place at 18:30 on Tuesday 5 March. This is compulsory for all candidates apart from those running for CSP positions but we encourage all to attend. Please see 'candidate briefing' section below for more information.

Eligibility and nominations

  1. You must be a current student enrolled on a programme at Imperial College for the full academic year. 
  2. You must meet the eligibility of specific roles, for example, you can only be a Department Rep for the Department you study in.
  3. The Union will check that candidates are eligible to run with the College prior to the start of campaigning.
  4. If you fail to meet the above requirements you shall be withdrawn from the election.

DRO Reports

The rules of the elections will be interpreted and enforced by the Returning Officer (RO) and Deputy Returning Officers (DROs). The DRO reports updates candidates on the latest DRO rulings and interpretations of the elections rules. 

Read the latest DRO Reports

Training & Support

Imperial College Union offers comprehensive training for elected representatives with tailored programmes for different positions. Officer Trustees (President and four Deputy Presidents) will have a two week induction in July just before assuming their new roles and will receive a thorough handover from their predecessors. Constituent Union leaders will also benefit from an induction programme as well as support from their predecessors. 

Academic & Wellbeing Representatives, Liberation & Community Officers, and Postgraduate Representatives and CSP leaders will also be required to attend training, with the initial sessions usually being delivered from the end of one academic year and the beginning of the next.

We will contact successful candidates with details of induction and or training sessions. We ask that all elected representatives attend training in order to understand Imperial College Union, meet fellow leaders, and learn how to be successful in their role.

As well as role-specific training, Imperial College Union also offers skills-based training throughout the academic year, supporting our volunteers to develop skills that are relevant to their roles.

Nominations support 

The following training support will be available during the Nominations period to help you with your candidacy.

Online Hub:
The Union's Training Hub provides an opportunity for you to learn at your own convenience. There will be material available on the Hub during the elections which are specifically designed to help you with your candidacy. 

Writing Successful Manifestos
This will help you prepare your manifesto with information on how to craft your platform, as well as tips on language and persuasion. 
View this on the Training Hub  

Manifesto videos
If you are running for an Officer Trustee role, we also ask you to take part in a 30second video clip where our marketing team will film you pitching your manifesto, which will then be used across our marketing channels. There will be further information about this soon.

Inclusive Campaigning:
This course will equip you with the tools to craft a campaign that reaches as many of your peers as possible with tips to help you connect with the whole Imperial community.
View this on the Training Hub

Campaigning support 

All candidates are required to read the rules of the elections before standing for a position. A Candidates' Brief will also be held just before the start of campaigning and all candidates for major positions must attend. There are very strict sanctions for breaching the election rules, many of which may not be obvious to candidates. Attending a session gives you the opportunity to ask questions, clarify rules and get useful information about the elections. Remember, ignorance of the rules is not a defence against breaches and sanctions will be applied to anyone who breaks them. The aim is to run a free and fair election that is as stress free as possible to all involved. If you are running for a role that is not a CSP Committee position and you are not able to attend the briefing, please let the Deputy Returning Officers know at elections@imperial.ac.uk.

Candidates' Briefings

All candidates, excluding CSP candidates, will need to attend a compulsory candidate briefing session before they can begin campaigning. The candidate briefing will be a hybrid event taking place on Tuesday 5th March at 18:30-20:00 in Sir Alexander Fleming G34.

Please sign up here

Wellbeing Support

Elections is a stressful time and you will invest a lot of time and emotion into your campaigns, but the most important thing is to look after yourself! Remember to take time out, eat, sleep and be kind to yourself!

If you ever feel overwhelmed by the Elections, make sure you talk to someone! If your concern is related to your campaign, someone else's campaign, or the campaigning process, please contact the Elections Team. The Union Advice Centre can also help to signpost you to the most appropriate service if you are unsure. You can contact them by emailing advice@imperial.ac.uk

You can also meet online with one of the representation team to unwind after a day of campaigning. These will happen everyday from 3:30-4:30pm between Monday 11th March and Thursday 14th March. To join a session, email the representation team at icu.representation@ic.ac.uk.

You can also collect a free wellbeing goody bag at some of our elections events, so make sure you grab yourself one!

Elections Team

The Leadership Elections 2024 are managed by a Working Group of Imperial College Union staff involving a cross-section of teams. The rules are governed by a Returning Officer, who is responsible for ensuring the elections are fair. The Returning Officer is someone selected from outside of Imperial College Union in order to ensure their independence. The Returning Officer will make the final and binding decision on any rule breaches or complex queries raised by candidates and members.

The Returning and Deputy Returning Officers can be contacted on elections@imperial.ac.uk.

Spend Declaration

All candidates must submit their spend declaration by filling out this form by 19:00 on Thursday 14 March. Here's a step-by-step guide to submitting it:

  • Download the Spend Declaration Template
  • Review the Spend Declaration Sample to see a completed version
  • Complete the Spend Declaration with your name, username, position, and expenditures
  • Add your sort code and account number if you are running for an Officer Trustee or Constituent Union President position
  • Gather all of your paper receipts and take photos
  • Gather screenshots or attachable files of all electronic receipts
  • Ensure all receipt files have your name and the item type included in the file name - for example 'John Doe - Badges.jpg'
  • Send one email to elections@imperial.ac.uk with the subject line '<Your Name> <Your Role> - Spend Declaration' - for example 'John Doe - Union President - Spend Declaration'
  • If you are running for more than one position, please complete one declaration template for each position
  • If you have spent no money on your campaign, please simply send an email telling us your expenditure was zero.
  • If receipts are not available, other evidence of cost will suffice
  • If you have any questions, please contact the Elections Team on elections@imperial.ac.uk

Elections Feedback

Election candidates can submit general feedback regarding the elections process here. This will help us to develop and improve future elections processes.

Publicity Banners 

All promotional material created by candidates - such as posters or websites - should include the publicity banner which saves you the task of adding basic information such as the voting period and website.

Landscape Posters (click for example)

Full Colour

Download image: JPG 

Monochrome (black on white)

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Monochrome (white on black)

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Portrait Posters (click for example)

Full Colour

Download image: JPG

Monochrome (black on white)

Download image: JPG 

Monochrome (white on black)

Download image: JPG 

Voting opens at 9:00 on Monday 11 March

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