The A.S. elections committee recently decided in favor of independent presidential candidate Kevin Hsu in the grievance filed against him by Vice President Finance candidate Harish Nandagopal.
Nandagopal filed the grievance claiming that Hsu falsified information in his candidate statement. Hsu’s candidate statement declared that his past experiences include chairman of the H.E.A.R. campaign, chairman of the “”No on CRENO”” campaign, A.S. vice president internal and Warren freshman and sophomore senator. Nandagopal said that Hsu’s information misled voters and therefore violates an election bylaw stating that candidates may not falsify information “”on Election Candidacy forms or campaign materials.””
According to the written decision by the elections committee, Hsu did not violate any bylaws. Hsu’s qualifications listed in his candidate statements were positions created by the Students First! club. The club is registered in the S.O.L.O. office and has a Constitution which states that the president and commander-in-chief can create any position he or she desires. Hsu’s positions, created by the club’s president and commander-in-chief Phil Palisoul, are then valid under the Constitution.
“”We’re enthralled that the committee made the correct decision, strictly adhering to the election bylaws,”” said Palisoul, Hsu’s campaign manager and spokesperson.
However, the committee did acknowledge Nandagopal’s claims, saying that Hsu’s use of election bylaws served to “”mock the process that selects student leaders”” on campus. Even though the elections committee has recognized that Hsu’s statements might mislead students, the bylaws do not include specific rules against ambiguous credentials.
“”I disagree with the decision,”” Nandagopal said. “”I just feel that the committee really disempowered themselves with it. I still respect the committee, but I just don’t agree with their decision.””
The committee points out that the case shows its limitations and how it must only adhere to what the bylaws state. According to the committee’s written decision, its obligation is to the bylaws and not to its members own moral views.
“”We are dismayed that our opponents tried to get us disqualified through legal means as opposed to letting voters decide,”” Palisoul said.
Jeff Le, the A.S. representative for the committee, wrote a dissenting opinion. According to Le’s dissent, Hsu should be disqualified due to his “”ulterior motives and spiteful ethics”” displayed in his campaign. Additionally, he stated that Hsu’s statement to “”Vote for the REAL Kevin Hsu”” implies that presidential candidate Kevin Shawn Hsu is false. Le also points out that the similar qualifications of the two Kevin Hsu’s only serves to confuse voters.
Le writes that the case is an example of how the elections committee should be able to go further than the text of the bylaws and “”make a stand against utmost shadiness and questionable motives and morality.”” Le also suggested that next year’s A.S. Council look through the existing bylaws and add “”misleading”” as a violation. He also recommends that a code of conduct be created that candidates must abide by during elections.
The elections committee that decided on the grievance hearing is made up of representatives from the six colleges, an A.S. representative and A.S. Elections Manager Robin Shelton.