Rector Elections
Dear University of Glasgow,
I have noticed that the Facebook handle, @UofGRector redirects to a rectorial candidate, Junaid Ashraf. While this has been his Facebook handle both during the election voting period (at the time of the lodging of this complaint) and before the election voting period had started. I don't think this is supposed to be allowed. A recotrial candidate cannot use indicate Facebook handle's such as "@UofGRector" that might seem he might be an already elected representative and mislead potential voters on this furthermore this is impersonating which is not allowed.
This is both unfair and should not be allowed, I would thus like you to treat this as an official complaint to the returning officer for this election against this candidates choice of Facebook handle which is misleading voters. Going to: https://www.facebook.com/UofGRector/ redirects the page of this candidate and is a breach of the Senate Rules.
Yours faithfully,
O'Donnell
Thank you for your email. The staff of the University of Glasgow,
including the Data Protection & Freedom of Information Office, are working
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Due to the current lockdown and resultant caring responsibilities, the
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Dear Donald O'Donnell,
Thank you for your email received 21 April 2021 timed 15:57 hours
(below). However, as it does not contain a Freedom of Information request
and is not subject to the Freedom of Information (Scotland) Act, the Data
Protection and Freedom of Information Office are unable to respond.
Please be advised your email has been forwarded to the Returning Officer
for the Rector Elections to respond directly to your complaint.
Yours sincerely
Data Protection and Freedom of Information Office
University of Glasgow
G12 8QQ
From: Donald O'Donnell <[1][FOI #749505 email]>
Sent: 21 April 2021 15:57
To: FOI requests at University of Glasgow <[2][University of Glasgow request email]>
Subject: Freedom of Information request - Rector Elections
Dear University of Glasgow,
I have noticed that the Facebook handle, @UofGRector redirects to a
rectorial candidate, Junaid Ashraf. While this has been his Facebook
handle both during the election voting period (at the time of the lodging
of this complaint) and before the election voting period had started. I
don't think this is supposed to be allowed. A recotrial candidate cannot
use indicate Facebook handle's such as "@UofGRector" that might seem he
might be an already elected representative and mislead potential voters on
this furthermore this is impersonating which is not allowed.
This is both unfair and should not be allowed, I would thus like you to
treat this as an official complaint to the returning officer for this
election against this candidates choice of Facebook handle which is
misleading voters. Going to: [3]https://www.facebook.com/UofGRector/
redirects the page of this candidate and is a breach of the Senate Rules.
Yours faithfully,
O'Donnell
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References
Visible links
1. mailto:[FOI #749505 email]
2. mailto:[University of Glasgow request email]
3. https://www.facebook.com/UofGRector/
4. mailto:[FOI #749505 email]
5. mailto:[University of Glasgow request email]
6. https://www.whatdotheyknow.com/change_re...
7. https://www.whatdotheyknow.com/help/offi...
8. https://www.whatdotheyknow.com/help/ico-...
Dear Donald
Thank you for your e-mail, which has been referred to me as Returning
Officer. I have responsibility for considering complaints as set out in
the Rules on the election of the Rector.
Under the rules of the election, candidates may utilise social media
platforms as part of their Campaign (e.g. Facebook, Twitter, Instagram,
and Snapchat) and websites. I have reviewed the Facebook page to which you
refer [1]https://www.facebook.com/UofGRector/ . My findings are that
there has been no breach of election rules and the integrity and/or
fairness of the election has not been seriously undermined. Therefore
your complaint is not upheld.
I hope this has addressed your concerns, however, if you are not satisfied
with my response, under the complaint process in the rules on the election
of the Rector, appeals against any decision of the Returning Officer will
be considered by the University Secretary. These will only be considered
on grounds of procedure, competency or prejudice. Appeals must be
submitted to the University Secretary by e-mailing
[2][email address] within 24 hours of the decision being
sent to the party appealing. All decisions of the University Secretary
will be final and there is no further route of appeal.
Yours sincerely,
Professor Jill Morrison
Clerk of Senate and Vice Principal
(Sent on behalf of Professor Jill Morrison)
------------------------------------------------------------------------
From: Donald O'Donnell <[3][FOI #749505 email]>
Sent: 21 April 2021 15:57
To: FOI requests at University of Glasgow <[4][University of Glasgow request email]>
Subject: Freedom of Information request - Rector Elections
Dear University of Glasgow,
I have noticed that the Facebook handle, @UofGRector redirects to a
rectorial candidate, Junaid Ashraf. While this has been his Facebook
handle both during the election voting period (at the time of the
lodging of this complaint) and before the election voting period had
started. I don't think this is supposed to be allowed. A recotrial
candidate cannot use indicate Facebook handle's such as "@UofGRector"
that might seem he might be an already elected representative and
mislead potential voters on this furthermore this is impersonating which
is not allowed.
This is both unfair and should not be allowed, I would thus like you to
treat this as an official complaint to the returning officer for this
election against this candidates choice of Facebook handle which is
misleading voters. Going to: [5]https://www.facebook.com/UofGRector/
redirects the page of this candidate and is a breach of the Senate
Rules.
Yours faithfully,
O'Donnell
-------------------------------------------------------------------
Please use this email address for all replies to this request:
[6][FOI #749505 email]
Is [7][University of Glasgow request email] the wrong address for Freedom of Information
requests to University of Glasgow? If so, please contact us using this
form:
[8]https://www.whatdotheyknow.com/change_re...
Disclaimer: This message and any reply that you make will be published
on the internet. Our privacy and copyright policies:
[9]https://www.whatdotheyknow.com/help/offi...
For more detailed guidance on safely disclosing information, read the
latest advice from the ICO:
[10]https://www.whatdotheyknow.com/help/ico-...
Please note that in some cases publication of requests and responses
will be delayed.
If you find this service useful as an FOI officer, please ask your web
manager to link to us from your organisation's FOI page.
-------------------------------------------------------------------
References
Visible links
1. https://www.facebook.com/UofGRector/
2. mailto:[email address]
3. mailto:[FOI #749505 email]
4. mailto:[University of Glasgow request email]
5. https://www.facebook.com/UofGRector/
6. mailto:[FOI #749505 email]
7. mailto:[University of Glasgow request email]
8. https://www.whatdotheyknow.com/change_re...
9. https://www.whatdotheyknow.com/help/offi...
10. https://www.whatdotheyknow.com/help/ico-...
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