Max Ghose resigns as Union President

A Union investigation has found ‘a number of irregularities’ in the Easter 2023 election

by Taneesha Datta

This article is 2 years old

Wednesday June 21 2023, 11:33am

Max Ghose has resigned as Union President for Michaelmas after an investigation concluded there were “a number of irregularities” in the Easter 2023 election.

The Union’s statement, released today, confirmed that Charlie Palmer, the Vice President, will serve as President for Michaelmas 2023 in Ghose’s place.

Results were originally set to be published on Friday (16/06) after polls closed. That evening, after a series of electoral complaints were brought against Ghose, the Union released a statement confirming that the publication of results would be delayed due to a “potential irregularity in the electoral process”. An investigation has now concluded that there were indeed significant irregularities in the Easter 2023 election.

Ghose was appointed as Returning Officer for the Easter election – which meant he was responsible for overseeing the election and enforcing electoral rules. Ghose has previously served as the Union’s debates officer and vice-chair of the Cambridge University Liberal Association. Elected last term in a landslide victory, he has now resigned as both President and Returning Officer.

Union election results delayed over ‘irregularities’

On Thursday (15/06), Varsity reported on a complaint made against Ghose, claiming that he provided his own presidential campaign account from last term to one of the candidates running in this term’s election “to be used as an electoral tool”. The complaint suggested that this showed a “blatant” conflict of interest, which is against the Union’s constitutional rules for a Returning Officer. Varsity understands that other electoral complaints were also levied against Ghose.

This term’s original presidential race was between Ellie Breeze and Nick Davis, who have previously served on the committees of the University’s Conservative (CUCA) and Labour (CULC) societies respectively. The election – for positions serving Lent 2024 – will be re-run at the beginning of next term. Applications for an interim Vice President to replace Charlie Palmer will open soon.

Last term’s election also faced accusations of electoral irregularities, as a Union panel investigated claims of ballot tampering. The appointment process of last term’s Returning Officers was found to be “procedurally irregular”.

This is a breaking news story. Updates and details will follow.

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