UCD SU President Katie Ascough Impeached

After two days of voting, in what had become a highly anticipated referendum, UCD Students’ Union president Katie Ascough has been impeached, as the ‘yes to impeachment’ campaign won out, gathering approximately 69% of the 6611 votes cast. Voting began on Wednesday the 25th of October and ended at 8pm on Thursday the 26th. The Dublin college has witnessed a record turnout of 27% in comparison to its previous union election, which saw a mere 3350 voters going to the polls.4540 votes were cast for the ‘yes’ to impeachment side, while 2032 votes in total were cast to maintain Ascough as president of the UCD Students’ Union.The first count began at around 9pm, and the first constituencies to be declared were Carysfort, Richview & Newstead and Veterinary at 10pm. These first results predicted the trend of the upcoming results, which proved consistent throughout the night.Arts then followed, and further widened the gap between the ‘no’ side and its potential for victory, as Arts was the first ‘block’ to be declared, pushing the temporary overall results to 74% in favour of impeachment. The second block, Science and Quinn, theoretically called the election, as Maths could no longer allow Ascough to secure her seat as Students’ Union president. The final results were declared at approximately quarter to one, with the declaration of the remaining three constituencies: Agriculture, Health Sciences and Engineering.Following her impeachment, now-former president Ascough made the following statements in a concession speech:

‘I fought a good fight. I have been open and honest. I have respected the law. I am deeply saddened at today’s vote. I hope we can build an atmosphere of inclusion to those who might not fit the stereotypical image of an SU president.’

- Katie Ascough

The head of the impeachment campaign, Amy Crean, declared in her victory speech:

‘I am absolutely thrilled to stand before you and say that the referendum has passed and the yes vote won. We are so proud of our campaign and its success in inserting democracy, transparency and accountability into the UCD Students’ Union.’

- Amy Crean

In accordance to article 19.5 of their constitution, UCD Students’ Union will now need to hold a by-election to elect the new president of the organisation. Result In Full:Total Poll: 6,611Total Valid Poll: 6,572 (spoils: 39)YES (Impeach) - 4,540NO (Retain) - 2,032The petition carries, Ascough is impeached.