Imitation Rituals: "We Hate Elections Too"

"We Hate Elections Too" was displayed on an Independent Media placard as their campaigners danced around campus yesterday on the last day of elections.

I'm glad it's over.

The Young Liberals (Liberals, Yes and Energize) worked hard all week to disrupt the election in favour of their 'Yes' ticket and its promises, most of which related to organisations or businesses which are not owned or controlled by the student union.

The Labor Right (Voice) seemed to die off as the week went on.

The incumbent Stand Up! faction seems poised to win the elections.

Activate made some waves on the left, contesting Stand Up! for president and Independent Media for Farrago. Do you really want a bunch of hippies and squatters editing your student paper? Didn't think so.

Socialist Alternative (Left Student Unionists) seemed to get into fights with Young Liberals a lot.

What has the Returning Officer been up to?
Ruling 1. The Returning Officer, after receiving complaints from Activate, forces Independent Media to not use 'IndyMedia' and the Independent Media campaigners went around for the rest of the week with 'ie' badges covering the 'y' on their t-shirts.
Ruling 2. Activate take another stab at Independent Media, trying to neutralise their test edition. This is dismissed.
Ruling 3. Tickets should share poster space.
Ruling 4. Activate attacks Independent Media for not using recycled paper in their test edition. Independent Media are forced to surrender 200 copies of their test edition for recycling.
Ruling 5. Independent Media retaliates against Activate for using a non-student and professional graphic designer in the production of their test edition. Activate confirm that this was the case and the RO gives them the benefit of the doubt with respect to the electoral regulations.
Ruling 6. Young Liberal, Alex Cambria, is suspended from campaigning for harassment.
Ruling 7. Samuel Flewett, SA(LSU), is suspended from campaigning for fighting with a Young Liberal (Yes) campaigner.
Ruling 8. The RO decides that there is no difference between a volunteer and an intern and the "clearly selective" presention of the facts is not necessarily misleading or deceiving.

This summarises the tension in the elections.