The Week That Was

PETTY FIGHTS and disputes marred last week's elections as rumours of disqualifications rolled in.

The first row of the week involved current Communications Officer Alex Castro and a ruckus with a Law lecturer – with both of them accusing the other of foul play.

However, the police have decided not to take the incident any further.

He was disqualified from running for International Students' Officer for using his office for campaigning purposes and ignoring verbal warnings from the Returning Officer.

Regarding the incident he said: "I believe all allegations against me and my people are entirely untrue, and I want to say the way in which I view the world makes me "overstand" the situation.

"I have learned that when you fight for what's right you will always face hardship and difficulties, but one has to remain strong. The struggle continues!"

Communications Officer Elect Robbie Gillett said he wasn't particularly surprised that the maverick member of the executive had ended up in hot water: "Castro never really paid too much attention to the election rule book, but he is a very colourful character who I am glad to have on campus."

The appearance of swastikas on some candidates' manifestos was the nastiest turn of the week, and has also been reported to the police.

Banners proved to be a battlefield as hopefuls turned up to start their campaigns on Tuesday morning, with several brawls ensuing. 

Returning Officer Bev Craig managed to calm the situation down by suggesting a names-out-of-a-hat rota may be the only option if squabbles didn't stop.

But on election night a skirmish broke out between Chris Stafford, who supported Vicky Thompson for Campaigns Officer, and Ketan Alder, competing for Acadamic Affairs Officer. The fisticuffs were quickly broken up.