Campaign harassment results in complaints
Election board unable to take much action
against hostilities
By Rashmi Nijagal
Daily Bruin Staff
As tensions ran high on the last day of voting, candidates also
reported increased hostilities and mudslinging during
campaigning.
In the past two days, many allegations of harassment have been
made by both the Bruin Action Team and the Students First
slates.
Among the complaints are allegations of vocal racial slurs and
misogynist comments. While each side accuses the other of hostile
treatment and attitudes, both agree that the harassment is tiring
and must stop.
"(The campaigning) has been clean so far, and we have tried to
keep it clean," said Mikako Kawai, candidate for facilities
commissioner on the Students First slate and an alleged victim of
harassment.
"However, (the harassment) has been building barriers up and it
is not right," she said. "It has been repetitious. This is
ridiculous."
Others agree that they would prefer not to have any type of
confrontation and most said they would rather walk away from an
altercation.
"I have tried to keep as professional about this as possible,"
said Mahtab Darvish, candidate for the office of external vice
president on the Bruin Action Team and also an alleged victim of
harassment. "I have really tried to walk away from most
situations."
While one official harassment complaint has been filed with the
election board by certain members and supporters of the Students
First slate against campaigners for the Bruin Action Team, the
election board can take little action.
"Basically, all we can do is to encourage people to act in the
appropriate manner, in the good spirit of the elections," said
Nikki Vivion, election board chair. "There are really no
regulations in the elections codes regarding speech of election
participants.
"There is nothing that we can do."