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Vote 07: Live Commentary
Vote 07: Live Commentary
15th March 2007
Welcome to the SU Election night live commentary.
This page will be updated live throughout the night bringing you the latest action as it happens.
Live Commentary is now closed
06:34 GMT : Good morning from the Waterfront Election Team. We would like to congratulate all the winners tonight, commiserations to those who didn't make it. It has been a very long night (and morning). If you missed out on the events over the last 10 hours, take a look at the commentary below, visit our blogs, see our photos from the evening and listen to our podcast interviews with all the winners. However, we're now off to bed.
06:25 GMT : Right! That's it! I'm calling a halt to this before I drop. You've been in the company of Pete and Tom throughout Election Night 2007. Thanks for staying with us, and now we all know who'll be leading the Student Union next academic year. Smashing!
06:18 GMT : Tom wants me to say that morale is quite buoyant after such a gruelling night. He's leaving very soon it would seem.
06:12 GMT : The finishing touches are being made to the mini-publication we'll be putting out detailing the results and reaction. Come on people, final push! Have the first buses come around yet?
06:08 GMT : Pete's back with you. Some of you might just be waking up for the news of the results from this year's epic election. Xtreme have gone home, and I'm pretty sure my bed is calling at some point. But I have to get up for the cricket at half one. Oh dear!
06:04 GMT : With a record turnout - which is said to be one of the highest in the UK this year! - controversy, delayed vote counting, and an election running right through until breakfast, the 2007 Sabb Elections will certainly live long in the memory.
05:49 GMT : What a long, drawn-out election its been this year. Its now closing in on 6am and the Waterfront team are still working hard to publish the election results...anyone fancy breakfast?
05:40 GMT : As Owen Morgan talks to Waterfront and plans to re-decorate his office, the sun poignantly rises on a new day, but with three election candidates re-elected.
05:34 GMT : Owen Morgan has been re-elected as President with 989 votes to Beth Hodge's 608 votes.
05:32 GMT : And the winner is... Owen Morgan!!
05:30 GMT : THE RESULTS FOR THE PRESIDENCY ARE BEING ANNOUNCED!!
05:19 GMT : I don't know why everyone else is so tired. I've been hyped up on caffeine for the last 10 hours. They'll be one hell of a low after this high!
05:17 GMT : I'm gonna drag Tom away from Pro Evo to do some graft.
05:08 GMT : Unsuccessful Treasurer candidate, Gemma Comerford, tells Waterfront that she was happy despite losing because the vote was so close between herself, Richie Lewis and winner Nick Cooper. The campaign team are, however, naturally disappointed although Gemma remains upbeat because she now plans to travel next year.
05:07 GMT : Nick Cooper speaks to Tim Sculthorpe and Kate Fletcher on our latest PODCAST.
05:02 GMT : There it is! 5am. I don't think I expected to still be here when I first arrived at Waterfront HQ. The count is ongoing for the President result.
04:57 GMT : Xtreme's coverage descends into farce as several Waterfront members storm the studio. Our thoughts are with those brave DJs.
04:54 GMT : There are some binmen outside Union House. They've got an early start, we've got a late finish - what's the difference?
04:43 GMT : To recap, with five of the six positions filled in the 2007 election, the 2007/8 Sabbatical line-up is as follows: Nick Cooper (Treasurer), Nick Morgan (Welfare), Stuart 'Chugga' Jones (Education), Nel Richards (Women's), and Kylie Bartelli (International).
04:39 GMT : Right, well now we're just waiting for the result of the President race, with seven candidates vying for the top job of leading Swansea Union.
04:37 GMT : Nick Cooper is now here in the Waterfront office for a quick chat.
04:35 GMT : Nick Cooper took 881 votes after four rounds, beating Richie Lewis who scored 719 votes. A majority for Cooper of 162.
04:34 GMT : Result! Nick Cooper is the 2007/8 Treasurer.
04:31 GMT : Are my ears deceiving me or are the Treasurer results being made known now? It would seem that the 40 minutes claim was wrong!
04:27 GMT : The word on the street is that the Treasurer will be announced in 40 minutes. So that's AFTER 5AM! Don't expect a conclusion to the 2007 election until after 6am at least.
04:23 GMT : Agent Pete back at the computer. Sleep is the key topic of conversation but alas, we can't because we're here to see you through. The Swansea SU Media Centre is alive with activity (of sorts).
04:15 GMT : There's comotion in DV8. Something's afoot in the counting room, which means the results of the Treasurer poll are close.
04:03 GMT : The tumble weed floating past the office is little distraction from the boredom of waiting for the next result.
03:53 GMT : 30 minutes until the results of the penultimate election race of the night: the 2007/08 Treasurer.
03:38 GMT : After a tense 5 rounds, Nick Morgan wins with 784 votes to Sheryl Earnshaw's 625 votes.
03:37 GMT : Nick Morgan is the new 2007/08 Welfare Officer.
03:36 GMT : Unexpectedly, the results for the Welfare Officer poll have just come through.
03:35 GMT : A new hand takes to the live commentary. The team are looking tired as 4am approaches and there are still three posts to be announced.
03:29 GMT : To see out a bit of time, I have taken to watching Shaun the Sheep on YouTube. Don't worry, Tom's coming on now. See you in about 45 minutes.
03:18 GMT : For the first time in a while, I can actually hear some music from DV8. I'm reliably informed there is a conga line doing the rounds down there.
03:15 GMT : Chris Sloley is looking at random photos on t'internet. When there's no news, it really comes down to that.
03:08 GMT : Word has it that Holly Thomas's jeans are a bit skanky. And Andrew Gwilym is insisting on playing A Town Called Malice very loudly.
03:04 GMT : What I wouldn't give for a stray duck to make an appearance. It'd probably ask for some bread.
03:00 GMT : If I were to hazard a guess, I would imagine we're expecting the Welfare Officer result next up this evening.
02:52 GMT : We're only halfway through this contest, but it's already knocking on the door of 3am. That's seven and a half hours! What time is sunrise?
02:50 GMT : And the winner herself has joined us in the Waterfront office to talk to Dan Shaw.
02:46 GMT : Kylie Bartelli won after four rounds, polling 913 votes, beating Bola Ogundeji into second place with 708 votes.
02:45 GMT : The 2007/8 International Officer will be Kylie Bartelli.
02:43 GMT : And what do you know! Here it comes.
02:42 GMT : Still waiting for the International Officer result.
02:41 GMT : Sorry for the delay, we've just compiled a list of requests for Xtreme.
02:28 GMT : 10 minutes until the results of the International Officer poll are finally announced.
02:22 GMT : Events in DV8 are starting to get decidedly jolly. Stuart 'Chugga' Jones' elated campaign team are stripping off and doing the band thing on DV8's sweat-covered dance floor.
02:15 GMT : Word from down south in DV8 is that the hardcore campaign teams are all bopping to Five Megamix, Queen and Grease, with bottles of wine aplenty. God help us!
02:08 GMT : An interview with the new Women's Officer, Nel Richards, has now been uploaded on waterfrontonline's blog and podcast sections.
01:55 GMT : An interview with the re-elected Education Officer, Stuart 'Chugga' Jones, has now been uploaded on waterfrontonline's blog and podcast sections.
01:50 GMT : Flat coke and cold pizza is the only thing keeping the Waterfront Office from going into a much needed hibernation. But there's still a long way to go in tonight's elections.
01:44 GMT : Time for Tom to come back to the fore. Pete'll be back at 02.30. Maybe he'll have a nap?
01:39 GMT : Xtreme Radio are belting out A Hard Day's Night. Somewhat apt. Now I know how the Beeb fellas felt when they provided text commentary on the winter's Ashes series down under.
01:37 GMT : Remember, you can contact us: .
01:35 GMT : DV8 is now experiencing a resurgence in numbers after a brief lull. But the bar is closed. You can't have it all!
01:26 GMT : Pete finally wins a game of Pro Evo (after extra time). It's been a long night already and some are flagging. But not us text commentators. We're like Duracell bunnies.
01:07 GMT : New Women's Officer, Nel Richards is currently here in Waterfront Towers fresh from her victory.
01:04 GMT : We're now expecting the International Officer results next in tonight's proceedings.
01:03 GMT : Nel Richards wins after four rounds of voting, polling 854 votes, with Laura 'Metal' Hancock taking 679 votes.
01:00 GMT : The new Women's Officer is Nel Richards.
00:58 GMT : Still no word from the counting room. You have to feel for them though, they are doing a virtually impossible job.
00:43 GMT : The results for the next Women's Officer have inevitably been postponed by 15 minutes...apparently.
00:35 GMT : Next on the list: Women's Officer. The results for that poll will be with us shortly.
00:20 GMT : Stuart 'Chugga' Jones is now up here in the Waterfront Office, being interviewed by our very own Jack Yuille, with an extremely wide grin on his face.
00:13 GMT : Stuart 'Chugga' Jones polled 1,539 compared to Chris Randall's 478, and allows him to retain his position as Education Officer.
00:12 GMT : The 2007/8 Education Officer will be Stuart 'Chugga' Jones.
00:09 GMT : It's gone quiet in DV8. Result is coming...
00:05 GMT : We are receiving rumours that we might actually get a education officer result very soon. Stay posted...
00:00 GMT : Web editor Dafydd here, it's now midnight and we're still waiting for the first result. Until we get the result, why not check out our vote 07 blog, photo blog and podcast.
Friday 16 March 2007
23:56 GMT : Presidential candidate Tor has gone home. She has said she will not question the eventual count, but who knows if that will be tonight. Who can blame her for going, espeically if the results may not be with us until daybreak!
23:55 GMT : I've just offered the Xtreme team a burger. They accepted.
23:52 GMT : THERE IS MOVEMENT. Is the result imminent?
23:49 GMT : Don't forget, you can comment on our BLOGS tonight and also email us at .
23:39 GMT : Finally the Waterfront food order has arrived, and it was good.
23:37 GMT : It would seem as if the Education Officer result will be another 20 minutes! Another false alarm! Check out the pictures we have on the website whilst you wait, and if you need a soundtrack, Xtreme Radio 1431AM will soothe your head.
23:24 GMT : Pete's back and he got his pint at last. Check out our latest PODCAST with Laura 'Metal' Hancock and Elena Morgan, both standing for women's officer.
23:20 GMT : Security have politely asked all Waterfront reporters to take a brief hike while counting is in process. Standby for the first result of the night.
23:05 GMT : Both Education Officer candidates have been brought up to the counting room and, while DV8 is slowly turning into a drinking meleé, the results are expected in the next 30 minutes...im not sure i'll be able to hold my breath for that long.
22:50 GMT : Right, that's enough cricket world cup. Its time for some hardcore election coverage...oh yeah, there's nothing to cover, due to a record number of votes cast, coupled with a record number of missing counters, counting the votes!! Word is that official counting will start in 20 minutes.
22:42 GMT : Noooo. Ireland come so close to a famous win over Zimbabwe but it ends a tie A bit of pulsating action as we wait for the first result.
22:27 GMT : Our BLOG section now contains an interview with Liz Elsey, who's standing for Welfare Officer. This really does feel like it's very early days for the 2007 Election results. I need a pint.
22:21 GMT : Charlie's back from the count and Stuart Rice, the Deputy Returning Officer, has said that there will not be a result until 23:30. And that is expected to be the Education Officer race - Chris Randall or Chugga? You decide! Well, you already have...
22:11 GMT : Don't forget to check out our blog for interviews with the candidates, our photo blog and the election podcast.
22:08 GMT : Lots more dancing, lots more smoking and lots more drinking in DV8. And muggins here is watching Ireland submit to Zimbabwe on Cricinfo.
22:01 GMT : I'm hearing tales of a dance-off at 21:45 between a member of Kylie Bartelli's team and a guy in a pink cowboy hat. Various others joined the fun and it's been described as awesome. Seems like the mood has lightened with alcohol. DRRRRINK!
21:58 GMT : Ahead of schedule, Pete returns to the chair a broken man after losing to Lille.
21:50 GMT : A total of 2231 votes have been cast in this year's election!! Normally 1300-1500 votes are cast each year! That's one hell of an increase.
21:40 GMT : The Waterfront Office has momentarily come alive. Rumours are flying around like...candy. But nothing is hard fact. The Election seems to be slowly heating up.
21:25 GMT : There's a ProEvo competetion in the Waterfront office at the moment. There's an eerie calm before the storm...for the moment anyway.
21:20 GMT : Word up! The first result from the counting room is not expected until 10:30pm. That'll be for the next Education Officer.
21:15 GMT : Get outta the chair Pete, its Tom's turn for the next 45 minutes...stop groaning at the back!
21:12 GMT : An exclusive Waterfront PODCAST is literally about to hit the world wide web, as we chat to International Officer candidate, Kylie Bartelli, and outgoing Women's Officer, Emma Bartlett.
21:10 GMT : Our people on the ground have nabbed three of the Welfare candidates - Matt Hill, Sheryl 'Shem' Earnshaw and Danielle Dixon. They all have one thing in common, except the fact that they're standing for the same position. Namely that they are all tired and all want to win. It seems amicable though. Lovely.
21:00 GMT : If you want to have your say, then feel free to comment on the blogs that will be appearing through the night. To get through to Tom and Pete, email waterfrontweb@hotmail.co.uk. And Dawn tells us it's getting busier. We really put the shaz in shazaam!
20:50 GMT : Tom's returned from DV8. That's the sort of tight operation we're running here. But it's dead down stairs and Tom wants booze. I would like Monty Panesar to take a wicket or two in the cricket tomorrow afternoon. And there goes the #2 bus on it's way to the Student Village.
20:45 GMT : Fandabidozie! It would seem that no counting has actually begun in the upper echelons of the Union. Validating the amount of votes against the number of voters is still ongoing, and that needs to be done before counting begins. OH! And none of the candidates seem to be on campus right now. It's going to be a long night.
20:35 GMT : First reports from DV8 are that it's quite quiet in there. Music's down low, and campaign teams are talking amongst themselves. A few people are propping up the bar but there we go. Let's hope something kicks off soon then.
20:30 GMT : Hello world! Tom and Pete signing in for the night's live text commentary courtesy of waterfrontonline.co.uk. We'll be keeping you up to date with the latest developments in the SABB elections 2007. It could be a long night, but we have cake and pizza. Rock on!
20:00 GMT : Meeting is over, count is going ahead as planned.
19:45 GMT : Emergency meeting finished, more soon.
19:40 GMT : Emergency meeting continues.
19:23 GMT : Emergency meeting continues.
19:00 GMT : Candidates called into an emergency meeting regarding counting issues.
16:00 GMT : Early reports of complaints about members of the counting staff.
09:30 GMT : Polls open in Fulton House on the last day of the elections.
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