Returning Officer Team

As per article 14.3 of the MSU Constitution, there shall be a Returning Officer Team which shall execute and implement the regulations of the Electoral Commission in conducting and supervising the process of all Union elections and referendums.

 

The Returning Officers

The Chief Returning Officer and the Deputy Returning Officer, to be known jointly as “the Returning Officers”, shall appoint such Presiding Officers, polling clerks and other personnel as they consider necessary and shall make all arrangements as they consider necessary in the discharge of their duties subject to the provisions of this Constitution and, in as far as they consider to be reasonably practicable, in accordance with the Electoral Acts as amended.

The joint powers of the Returning Officers may be exercised by either of them acting alone, subject to the right of the Chief Returning Officer to overturn or countermand any decision or action of the Deputy Returning Officer. Any power reserved exclusively to the Chief Returning Officermay only be exercised by the Chief Returning Officer.

Appointment

The Chief Returning Officer and the Deputy Returning Officer shall be appointed by the Election Ratifcation & Appeals Committee.

 

Chief Returning officer

The Chief Returning Officer shall:

  • Hold no offcership or staff position in any of the Union; Maynooth University; or Saint Patrick’s College, Maynooth; and all their associated campuses, enterprises, and companies; and shall not be a member of the Union’s Board of Trustees
     
  • Be appointed for a three-year term. There shall be no limit to the number of terms for which an individual may be appointed as Chief Returning Officer.

 

Deputy Returning Officer

The Deputy Returning Officer shall:

  • Jointly with the Chief Returning Officer supervise all elections and referendums, and who shall be primarily responsible for the administration of said elections and referendums. In the event of a disagreement, the Chief Returning O?cer’s decision shall be taken.
     
  • Be appointed for a one-year term. There shall be no limit to the number of terms for which an individual may be appointed as Chief Returning Officer.

 

Report

The Returning Officers shall report to the MSU Student Senate. These reports shall be in the form of Aide Memoirs.