Eric Luong has been appointed UTSU’s new Chief Returning Officer (CRO). As CRO, Luoung will be responsible for handling the upcoming electoral process and enforcing the Elections Procedure Code, a document outlining everything from candidate eligibility to fundraising rules.
Luong steps into the role at a crossroads in university student governance. Student opposition leaders on campus have renewed calls for electoral reform following last year’s elections, including proposals to end proxy voting on UTSU’s board of directors and to implement online voting.
Luong replaces Daniel Lo, a controversial figure in campus politics during his term last year. Trinity College’s student government passed a motion calling for Lo’s immediate resignation.
Also during the previous election season, Lo faced repeated criticism for perceived lack of independence, disparities in demerit points awarded to candidates, and an all-candidates debate called on unusually short notice. Lo infamously awarded current UTSU president Shaun Shepherd demerit points when The Varsity endorsed him, construing the endorsement as an unapproved advertisement.
