BY LAURA McFADZEAN

The results from the 2020 MONSU Caulfield election are in, with “unofficial group of candidates” Ignite winning all eight remaining positions.

Between November 2 to November 4, MONSU members were able to vote for candidates running for President, Vice President, Overseas Student Services Officer, Activities Officer 2, Education Officer, Marketing Officer, Welfare Officer and Women’s Officer.

Prior to the election, seven candidates were declared elected unopposed.

Up to 649 undergraduate students voted in this year’s election, a decrease in votes from 2019 which saw up to 732 undergraduates cast votes.

2020 marked the first year postgraduate students were unable to vote in the MONSU Caulfield election.

According to clause 6.1 of the amended MONSU Caulfield constitution, graduates are “represented by the Monash Graduate Association not MONSU and are not eligible to membership of MONSU or participate in MONSU voting”. 

President-elect Anna Purtill won her position with 369 votes, compared to her opponent Caitlyn Dunne’s 246 votes. 

Ms Purtill said herself and her team “are proud of the support [they’ve] received this election”.

“Voters have embraced our positive plans for students’ education, mental health and their campus life,” she said.

“There will be lots to say in the coming days and weeks and we look forward to delivering on our promises.”

Ms Purtill said while online voting did not affect Ignite’s campaign, the introduction of the opt-in membership model was “a significant change this year which resulted in slightly decreased voter participation”.

According to clause 5.1 of the MONSU Caulfield constitution, undergraduate students enrolled at Caulfield campus have to register their details through its website to become a member.

“The two-step process of signing up as a MONSU member prior to voting was obscure and inherently undemocratic,” Ms Purtill said.

“Me and my team believe that all students have a right to vote given they pay SSAF [Student Services and Amenities Fees] and will therefore remove this process as soon as practicable.

“Considering the suppressive nature of the new membership requirement, we are very proud of our results.”

Independent candidate for President, Caitlyn Dunne, said while she was disappointed by the results, she was “pretty happy with how close” her votes were to Ms Purtill’s. 

“Ignite did present themselves as a group and I think there is always strength in a group, so I wasn’t totally surprised that Anna Purtill beat me,” she said.

As outgoing President, Ms Dunne hopes she can “hand over” her knowledge and “give [Ignite] the best chance for 2021”.

“We’ve done a lot of work for the future of MONSU, and I really hope the elected candidates can carry that on and help MONSU become bigger and better.”

Ms Dunne said the difference in votes between Ignite candidates and independents may have been due to students being unaware of the changes to this year’s election. 

“[Students] would’ve seen the MSA elections, they’re very big and people would’ve seen the two main ticketed sides,” she said.

“So maybe a lot of students didn’t necessarily understand the election – how MONSU elections are different.”

In a statement provided to MOJO News, a 2020 MONSU Caulfield spokesperson said this year’s election would “only allow individual candidates to nominate” and has “removed tickets from the nomination process”. 

Prior to 2020, candidates could brand and promote themselves as a group. 

The changes were made due to students feeling “harassed”, “anxious about being on campus” and reluctant to get involved in the election process, according to the spokesperson.

Returning Officer Jarrod Allen banned Ignite, who still chose to brand and promote themselves as a group, from campaigning for five days after they breached the election regulations.

Ms Fenn was banned an additional four days for “providing false, dishonest and deceptive information” to Mr Allen.

Ms Dunne said it was “pretty interesting to see the difference between Ebony [Hartridge-Linton] and Riley [Fenn], even though Riley had a nine day ban”.

“I think that might have potentially been influenced by the grouping of Ignite.”

Ms Purtill said herself and the elected candidates “plan to completely transform MONSU Caulfield” in 2021.

“We have enormous motivation to revolutionise the way Caulfield students experience their time at University and are excited to deliver on this next year,” she said.

“Importantly, all of our plans that come to fruition will do so with student mental health, academia and enjoyment at the core.”