SU21 – Results and Reactions
The Queen’s University Belfast Students’ Union (QUBSU) election results were announced today.
It is the first time that QUBSU has elected an all-women Student Officer team.
Voter turnout hit a four-year low, with only 15.8 per cent of students casting their ballot.
Turnout in the QUBSU elections is usually higher than the national UK average which, in 2020, was 16.1 per cent.
All elected Student Officers will be in their new posts from July 1.
QUBSU President result
Katie Ní Chléire is elected as the next QUBSU president with 73 per cent of the vote share.
She received 2,525 votes, out of a total 3,454 votes cast.
Ní Chléire said “I'm absolutely delighted to be elected Uachtarán of QUBSU! I'm especially proud to lead the first ever all-women Student Officer team!
I would like to thank every student who voted for me and my campaign team, especially Jason and Jess! I'm ready to go back to work on Monday as Welfare Officer but look forward to starting my role in July to make sure students have the support they deserve!”
Her opponent, Callum Dann, received 869 votes.
On the result, Dann said: “Good luck, Katie. I know she’ll do us proud. Everyone will be glad to hear I won’t be running again, but will hang up my election boots and get back to what I do best – helping students as a Residential Assistant!”
QUBSU Education Officer result
In a close race, Emma Murphy is elected as Education Officer.
She won on the third count and beat her opponent, Michael Upham, by just 59 votes. It is one of the most hotly-contested election results the Students’ Union has had in recent years.
Murphy said she was “over the moon” to be elected and added “I really want to thank my family, my friends and campaigners, my boyfriend, my competitor, Michael, for running a very competitive campaign and to every single person that voted for me. I am so excited to be working as part of the first all women SU team in QUB history, and for the next year I really want to create tangible change for every student at Queen’s and their education.”
QUBSU Postgraduate Officer result
Elena Byrne is elected as Postgraduate Officer on the fifth counting round.
The incumbent Postgraduate Officer, Tasha Montgomery, who stood for re-election, has lost her role.
Byrne was elected with 1,073 votes, beating Montgomery, who had 704 votes.
Courtney Girvin was knocked out in the fourth round, and Megan Stith was eliminated in the third.
On winning the election, Byrne said that she is “genuinely overwhelmed by the support and kindness that everybody has shown in their well-wishes”, adding “I’m very lucky to have been able to run alongside both Tasha and Courtney who were fantastic candidates and both good friends!”
QUBSU Welfare Officer result
Bethany Moore is elected as Welfare Officer, securing the win on the first count.
She received 1,448 votes, giving her 46 per cent of the vote share.
Moore said: “I am absolutely thrilled and humbled to have been elected as QUBSU’s next Welfare Officer. For someone who has also experienced tough times throughout my degree, I can’t wait to ensure students get the help they need and the support they deserve.”
“I’m just delighted to be a part of history in the making, as a part of the first ever all-women’s QUBSU team. I will be taking this weekend for rest, rejuvenation and celebration, but I am so excited to begin my work as Welfare Officer.”
Her opponent and runner-up, Joshua Murray, received 1,116 votes.
QUBSU Equalities and Diversity Officer result
Niamh Oddy is elected as Equalities and Diversity Officer on the first count.
She said she is “ecstatic” to be elected, adding “I am so pleased to be elected VP Equality and Diversity to represent students across QUB. Thank you everyone who helped me with this campaign. Big thanks to my Amnesty QUB family, my Project Choice friends and my classmates. Special big thanks to Peter Dunn, Jess Lawrence, Matthew Carvill and James McConnell. I wouldn't have stood without you. The biggest thank you of all goes to Courtney Girvin, you are wonderful activist and feminist and I can't wait to see you change the world.”
The total number of votes cast for the position was 3,134, and she received 53 per cent of the vote share.
QUBSU Campaigns and Engagement Officer result
Chloe Ferguson is re-elected as Campaigns and Engagements officer on the first count with 59 per cent of the vote share.
She received 1,854 votes and Liam Magill came in second place with 912 votes.
Ferguson said she is “buzzing for another year of campaigning.”
“I'm so excited and thankful to be re-elected to Campaigns and Engagement Officer so I can continue my work in the SU! A massive congratulations to all candidates, you've been absolutely a joy to run along. Thank you to my friends and family, your support through what's been both a hectic campaign and year has been appreciated immensely.”
Olivia Fletcher is The Scoop’s Editor.