Registered Nurses’ Union orders election revote after claiming voting irregularities

Newfound News has learned that the Registered Nurses’ Union Newfoundland and Labrador is ordering a new vote for several contested leadership positions after errors in its voters’ lists resulted in some eligible members not receiving voting packages and some ineligible individuals receiving packages and casting ballots.

Union convention delegates overwhelmingly supported an emergency motion to conduct the election again during the last week of November.

The decision raises questions about the union’s election procedures, particularly how the errors occurred and why the voters’ lists were not accurate before voting began.

According to the union, office staff will verify and update the membership and voters’ lists before the revote. However, the union has not yet provided further details about the extent of the errors or how many ballots may have been affected.

The revote will apply only to the contested positions of provincial president and regional representatives for Regions 2, 8 and 9. Candidates who were acclaimed to their positions will not be affected.

The union has also imposed a blanket ban on campaigning until the election is completed. Any alleged violations must be reported to Executive Director David Hammond.

Further details about the revised election process are expected in the coming days.