General Election

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The voting period is now underway! General elections are held to elect members of the UOSU Board of Directors and Executive Committee, and student representatives on the uOttawa Board of Governors and Senate.

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Notice of By-election

September 1, 2026

Elections Office — University of Ottawa Students’ Union (UOSU)

The University of Ottawa Students’ Union (UOSU) Elections Office hereby informs the student community that the Fall 2026 By-Election has officially commenced.

The nomination period is now open and will remain open until September 28, 2026, at 6:00 p.m. Eastern Time.

Eligible students who wish to stand for election to the UOSU Board of Directors, the University of Ottawa Senate, or any of the available executive commissioner positions are invited to submit their nominations before the deadline.

AVAILABLE SEATS

UOSU BOARD OF DIRECTORS

The following seats are available for the Fall 2026 By-Election:

  • Education — 1 seat
  • Civil Law — 1 seat
  • Common Law — 1 seat
  • Medicine — 1 seat
  • Telfer School of Management — 2 seats
  • Arts — 0 seats
  • Engineering — 2 seats
  • Science — 0 seats
  • Health Sciences — 1 seat
  • Social Sciences — 2 seats

UNIVERSITY OF OTTAWA SENATE

The following seats are available for the Fall 2026 By-Election:

  • Education — 1 seat
  • Civil Law — 0 seats
  • Common Law — 0 seats
  • Medicine — 1 seat
  • Telfer School of Management — 1 seat
  • Arts — 1 seat
  • Engineering — 1 seat
  • Science — 0 seats
  • Health Sciences — 1 seat
  • Social Sciences — 0 seats

AVAILABLE EXECUTIVE POSITIONS

The following executive commissioner positions are also open for nominations:

  • Francophone Affairs Commissioner
  • Advocacy Commissioner

Candidates must meet all applicable eligibility requirements and comply with the nomination procedures and deadlines established by the Elections Office.

The nomination period closes on September 28, 2026, at 6:00 p.m. Eastern Time.

For further information regarding eligibility, nomination procedures, available positions, and the electoral calendar, please consult the official resources of the UOSU Elections Office.

Elections Office

The Elections Office is the independent body which administers elections, referendums, and plebiscites at the UOSU. Its mandate is to ensure the integrity and fairness of the electoral process and compliance with all relevant policies. Its duties include:

  • Implementing and enforcing the Elections Code,
  • Approving nominations,
  • Monitoring spending by candidates,
  • Educating students on the electoral process,
  • Receiving and responding to electoral complaints,
  • Managing the voting software and polling stations,
  • Declaring the results of elections, referendums, and plebiscites.

Follow us on Instagram: @uosu.elections.seuo

Chief Electoral Officer

Salem Habes

Chief Electoral Officer

he/him

elections@seuo-uosu.com

The Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) leads the Elections Office. They are hired by and report to the Elections Committee. The CEO is appointed for a one-year term from May 1 to April 30.

The CEO exercises general direction and supervision over the conduct of elections, referendums, and plebiscites. They are also responsible for ensuring that the Elections Office remains fair and impartial with regard to all the elections, referendums, and plebiscites that it administers.

Salem Habes has been serving as Chief Electoral Officer since April 2026 . He is currently a Juris Doctor candidate at the Faculty of Common Law at the University of Ottawa.