The CUSG appellate court overturns initial decision to disqualify Unity ticket.

On April 21, CUSG’s appellate court which consists of justices from the judicial branch held a hearing for appeals made by the Inspire and Unity tickets regarding last week’s infraction tribunal’s decision to disqualify each of them for violation of the election codes. 

After the week-long election ended on April 8, the Inspire ticket was accused by the Unity ticket of bribery and intimidation. During the tribunal on April 15 the tribunal found Inspire guilty of the bribery charge, violation of section 702.5 of the election code but also found the Unity ticket guilty of jury tampering, violation of section 1006, Subsection 5 and Chapter 7, Section 702.3, of the election code, regarding the intimidation case. 

Both tickets had the opportunity to file an appeal in the appellate court of CUSG. 

Following Thursday’s hearing, the appellate court published the final findings of the court on Friday, April 22.

The appellate court stated that the Unity ticket was given no due process by the tribunal court. “Due process is almost completely absent in this case, which the Appellate Court does not take lightly,” the court stated in their final opinion. 

“While the Tribunal had no other choice but to issue the opinion it did, the Appellate Court in good faith cannot allow it to stand. The right to appeal is constructed for this exact reason.”

In their final conclusion, the court stated, “In a 6-1 split-decision, the Appellate Court rules to overturn and strike down the decision of the Election Infraction Tribunal finding the Unity Ticket guilty of violating Section 1006, Subsection 5 and Chapter 7, Section 702, Subsection 3 of the Election Code.” 

Therefore, overturning the 12 point violation placed on unity which subsequently makes the Unity ticket the next tri-executives. 

Regarding the Inspire ticket’s appeal, the court stated, “it is the opinion of the Court that the numerous claims brought and presented to the Court by the Inspire Ticket held no substance and thus are unpersuasive on appeal.”

The court believes that the Inspire ticket “failed to prove their innocence” in the bribery case. 

“[The court] agrees with the opinion that bribery was used to influence votes as concluded by the Infraction Tribunal’s majority opinion.”

In their conclusion statement, the court added, “In a 6-1 split decision, the Appellate Court rules to uphold the decision of the Election Infraction Tribunal. The Court finds the Inspire Ticket guilty of violating section 702, part 5 of the Election Code. As such, this constitutes a 12-point violation, disqualifying the entirety of the Inspire Ticket from the election and resulting in the invalidation of all votes cast for the Inspire Ticket, per section 1005, part 7 of the Election Code.”

The Bold has reached out to Inspire and Unity for comments.

This is a developing story and will be updated and more stories regarding the finalization of this year’s election will be released in the coming days. 

Editor’s Note: One of the contributing reporters on this story, Suvu Singh is a former CUSG member. Though Singh’s formal relationship with CUSG ended in December 2021, The Bold felt it was best to disclose this information as we value transparency and believe our readers do as well.