Following recent allegations and rumors, the Michigan Student Assembly Election Penalty Board is launching an investigation into last week's MSA elections.
In a statement released late last night, Elections Director Rajeshri Gandhi and Rules and Elections Committee Chair Josh Trapani said MSA officials have not yet found evidence of campaign violations.
"As a result of recent allegations involving MSA elections, the Election Penalty Board has decided that an investigation into the events of the past week and a half is warranted. As of this time, no wrongdoing has been established. The board will attempt to either substantiate or refute these allegations."
Yesterday, The Michigan Daily reported an anonymous source as saying newly elected MSA president Trent Thompson was improperly soliciting votes at a fraternity party the night of March 17. The witness said Thompson told people at the party to vote for him as they were logged on to the MSA voting Website at a laptop computer.
The MSA Election Code prohibits candidates from influencing students while they are voting.
Thompson maintained his innocence and said the investigation would uncover no wrongdoing.
"I truly think nothing will be found because I did nothing illegal," Thompson said. "The Elections Board has to do its job to find out what happened, but I don't think anything will turn up because nothing happened."
Gandhi would not say whether the investigation will be directed at Thompson's campaign.
The Election Penalty Board has asked that anyone with information pertinent to the investigation contact board officials at rgandhi@umich.edu. or jtrapani@umich.edu. Anonymous accounts will be accepted by the board, Gandhi said.
03-26-98
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