Elections 色界吧 is an independent, non-partisan body. All decisions are made in accordance with the Internal Regulations and are guided by the principles of fairness, consistency, and the integrity of the electoral process.

As part of this mandate, Elections 色界吧 has completed an investigation into reported incidents involving Candidate Justice Bongiovanni having violated Section 7.8 of the Internal Regulations of Elections and Referenda, which states:聽

鈥淣o Campaign member may observe, interfere with, or be actively involved in the process of a Member casting their vote.鈥�

After a thorough review of the evidence, Elections 色界吧 has determined that Candidate Bongiovanni interfered with Members鈥� votes, actions which included taking Members鈥� phones and voting on their behalf, standing over Members鈥� while they voted, and other forms of intimidation, contrary to the Internal Regulations.

Given the seriousness of this violation, Elections 色界吧 has issued 10 demerit points to the campaign.

As previously communicated, the same campaign has also accumulated 9 demerit points for violations of the following provisions of the Internal Regulations:

• Section 6.4: No External Body may be directly or indirectly involved in the activities of, or in the implicit or explicit support of, Campaigns
• Section 6.11: No Campaign may abuse positions they hold with any group to provide greater resources, exposure, or support to their campaign
• Section 6.13: No member of a Club, Service, Independent Student Group, or media organization may use their position to aid a Campaign from which they directly benefit
• Section 6.15: All campaign materials must be approved by Elections 色界吧 prior to distribution
• Section 6.21: External bodies are restricted from any form of campaigning or support on any social media, mobile, or online platform

In light of the cumulative number and seriousness of these violations, Elections 色界吧 has determined, consistent with the Internal Regulations, that Candidate Bongiovanni is retroactively disqualified from the election, as he has accumulated over 15 demerit points during this election.听

What this means:

Justice Bongiovanni鈥檚 win in the election is of no force and effect.

Further information about next steps regarding this position will be available in the coming days.

For more information, please do not hesitate to contact .

Prayer and reflection spaces serve an important role on campuses across Quebec. For many students, these spaces provide a quiet, respectful environment to practice their beliefs, reflect, and maintain balance amid academic life. They respond to a real need within our diverse student community and have long existed on campuses without disrupting university activities. Restricting or eliminating these spaces would not solve any demonstrated problem. Instead, it risks limiting students鈥� ability to practice their beliefs in an organized and respectful way and undermines their right to exercise them.

Existing restrictions on religious attire for certain public servants already affect some students preparing for careers in the public sector. Increasing limitations on religious expression in postsecondary institutions compound our current serious concerns about access, fairness, and inclusion. This measure creates an exclusionary environment and unjustly stigmatizes many individuals within college and university communities, particularly members of religious and ethnic minorities and people of colour. Legislation like this overlooks the integral roles they play on our campuses and in Canadian society. We deeply value the diverse contributions they make to our school and to the communities in which they study, work, and live. Freedom of conscience and religion is a fundamental right protected under both the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms and the Quebec Charter of Human Rights and Freedoms. Universities must remain places where diversity of thought, identity, and belief is respected.

The 色界吧 stands in solidarity with religious student groups and all students who rely on prayer and reflection spaces. We will continue to advocate for our community and defend our students鈥� rights, dignity, and ability to practice their beliefs safely on campus.

Signed

Legislative Council of the Students鈥� Society of McGill University.