OUSA withdraws from talks on polling booth

The Otago University Students' Association (OUSA) has withdrawn from discussions with the Dunedin City Council over plans to have a polling booth on campus, saying the council is scared students will sway election results.

OUSA vice-president Jarred Griffiths said the council had imposed a series of "very onerous conditions'' in response to the association's request for provision of a polling booth on campus during the voting period.

"The conversations with the DCC have very much felt like they're not willing to have a booth on campus, and a general sense on their part of being very cautious.''

Conditions for the provision of a booth included it be located in the OUSA office, instead of the university Link area where early voting booths for the 2014 general election were located, limited opening hours, and the need for the booth to be supervised by an OUSA executive member at all times.

Mr Griffiths said the OUSA faced the same obstacles when it made a similar unsuccessful request for the 2013 local body elections.

"The justification used in 2013 was because the OUSA president was running in the election,'' Mr Griffiths said.

Emails obtained by the Otago Daily Times under the Official Information Act between council electoral officer Pam Jordan and other electoral officers show Ms Jordan sought advice about how to respond to the 2013 request.

One respondent suggested Ms Jordan say no to the booth because providing one would "lend itself to the possibility of political shenanigans in a place that is well known for it''.

Ms Jordan said only one physical polling booth, situated in the council chambers, was used for local body elections and students would not be disadvantaged by not having one on campus.

She denied the OUSA's accusation the council was once again trying to prevent a booth from being on the university's campus.

"I have had two conversations with OUSA about voting.

"At a meeting I undertook to supply them with electoral rolls. We discussed the possibility of having drop boxes at the students' association.

"I was also anticipating having a discussion about a polling booth.

"Quite frankly, we would love students to vote, but as much as we have consulted in the past they haven't actually engaged.''

An emphasis should be put on enrolling students to vote in the first instance, she said.

Mr Griffiths said rather than encouraging students to vote, it appeared the council was making it difficult for them to do so because a large student vote could "drastically'' sway election results.

The OUSA would continue to encourage students to vote by door-knocking at flats and speaking at halls of residence, he said.

"Our goal this year is to enrol 5000 [to vote].''

-Additional reporting done by Eilish Maddock. 

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