The Election Committee met last Thursday to discuss grievances filed in connection with the 2001-2002 De Anza Associated Student Body elections.

All individuals or groups filing a grievance were given the opportunity to present their case.

Plaintiffs had to refer to specific sections in the Election Code, provide evidence to support their claim and explain how the alleged violations affected the outcome of the election.

Newly-elected President Shirin Darbani and Executive Vice President Usman Shakeel filed a grievance against Student Alliance, claiming its candidates had violated the election code by forming a slate, which are considered illegal by the Election Code. Darbani and Shakeel also accused members of Student Alliance of violating campaign posting regulations.

Geraldine Garcia, the incumbent candidate for VP of Finance, filed a grievance against the Election Committee and its procedural approach to the election. Garcia addressed several alleged election code violations by the committee and called for an invalidation of the election. “The election code is a joke. You didn’t comply with it.”

Student Alliance collectively filed a grievance against Senator Brett Jensen.

Luis Bocaletti, presidential candidate, spoke on behalf of Student Alliance and asked for Jensen to be removed from the election based on slanderous comments he had voiced in a letter he wrote and distributed to the Athletic Department prior to the election. (See La Voz, June 4).

“No one in Student Alliance wanted this to happen. Unfortunately, we feel it’s the only way to take action,” said Bocaletti.

The motion to disqualify Jensen on the grounds of his letter was rejected by a four to two vote. Jensen defeated Garcia by two votes for the VP of Finance position.

After nearly four hours of debate, all but one grievance were rejected by the committee and no further actions were taken with the others.

A grievance against a current DASB senator and member of the Election Committee was still pending at the time La Voz went to press.

PRESIDENT/ EXECUTIVE VICE PRESIDENT

Shirin Darbani/ Usman Shakeel 464

Luis Bocaletti/ Izaac Singh 341

VICE PRESIDENT, FINANCE

Brett Jensen 317

Geraldine Garcia 315

VICE PRESIDENT, STUDENT RIGHTS AND SERVICES

Colleen Sung McGuire 351

Samrah Khan 255

Kea Loewen 90

VICE PRESIDENT, TECHNOLOGY

Neil Parekh 415

VICE PRESIDENT, ADMINISTRATION

Claudia Andrade 369

Celina Perez 207

Maia Ahmad 97

VICE PRESIDENT, PROGRAMS

Melecia Navarro 228

Christopher Mikita 165

Thao Tran 129

Giang Le 72

Daniel Mart 57

VICE PRESIDENT, MARKETING AND COMMUNICATIONS

Huong Nguyen 357

Farnaz Kermaani 294