MPA election process

Frequently asked questions

What happens if there are fewer nominations than there are positions?

How are the general rep positions elected?

How are the campus-tagged rep positions elected?

How does the postal ballot work?

What should I include in my candidate’s statement?

If there is going to be a postal ballot, do I have to campaign?

What happens if there are fewer nominations than there are positions?

All eligible nominees are directly appointed to the MPAEC without a postal ballot being held.

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How are the general rep positions elected?

There are nine general rep positions, which can be filled by any enrolled postgraduate on any campus of Monash. If there are more than nine eligible nominations, then a postal ballot will be conducted in which all enrolled postgraduates are invited to vote.

No more than two research and two coursework postgraduates from the same faculty can be elected to the general rep positions.

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How are the campus-tagged rep positions elected?

There is one campus-tagged rep position for each of the Victorian campuses (Clayton, Caulfield, Berwick, Parkville, Peninsula and Gippsland), which can be filled by any postgraduate enrolled through the relevant campus. For example, the Berwick campus rep position can only be filled by a Berwick enrolled postgraduate. If there is more than one eligible nomination for each campus rep position, then a postal ballot will be conducted in which all enrolled postgraduates at the relevant campus are invited to vote. For example, if there are three nominations for the Peninsula campus position, then a postal ballot would be conducted in which only Peninsula enrolled postgraduates vote.

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How does the postal ballot work?

Voting papers are mailed directly to the home addresses of every enrolled postgraduate in the case of a general rep election, and to every enrolled postgraduate on the relevant campus in the case of a campus rep election. Included with the voting papers is a copy of the statement provided by each candidate when they submitted their nomination forms. Postgraduates are asked to return their voting papers to the Returning Officer, using the reply paid envelope provided.

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What should I include in my candidate’s statement?

It is up to each candidate to decide what they want to include in their statement. Areas to consider include: introducing yourself to the postgraduate community; what you are studying; your faculty; your campus; your interests; experience you bring to the committee; issues you would like to pursue.

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If there is going to be a postal ballot, do I have to campaign?

It is up to each candidate to decide whether or not they want to campaign. Many postgraduate candidates don’t have the time or inclination to campaign due to the pressures of family, study and work, so it is common for candidates to rely solely on their written statements. If you do want to campaign, you must abide by the election regulations that set out instructions as to what you can and can’t do during an election campaign.

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