The NUJ is having to halt its current election for a new deputy general secretary and re-run the vote because of an error in the membership data given to the Electoral Reform Services which is conducting the ballot.
In an email message to all members, NUJ general secretary Michelle Stanistreet (top) says:" I am writing to inform you that an error has unfortunately been discovered in the data used for the Deputy General Secretary election. This means that a significant number of ineligible members were included in the ballot.
"The mistake was the result of human error in creating the membership data for the Electoral Reform Services. This came to light at the end of last week and was then immediately investigated.
"I called an urgent meeting of available national officers to discuss the options available. We have made the decision that the most appropriate course of action is to halt the current election and re-run the election ballot from scratch. We have also informed the Electoral Reform Services and the Electoral Presiding Officer Sarah Veale."
She added: "We have no doubt you share our view that the most important thing is that the election is carried out fairly by ensuring only those members eligible to vote receive a chance to determine the outcome of the election.
"The timescale for the new ballot will now change to ensure the same duration as before. We have arranged for the data to be reprocessed to ensure accuracy and will inform you of the new timescale for the ballot process as soon as possible. All ballot papers will be printed on different coloured paper than before and a slip will be inserted to explain why the election is being re-run. An update will be sent out as soon as possible to inform members of the new ballot timetable.
"Please accept our sincere apologies for the inconvenience of having to cast your vote again."
Pic: Jon Slattery
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