This translation is for information purposes only and is not legally binding.
This electoral code came into effect by resolution of the Interim Group of the Student Council on April 7, 2026.
This electoral code applies to elections of the Digital Engineering Student Council at the University of Potsdam.
In accordance with the Digital Engineering student body's statutes, a total of six to eight members are elected to the Student Council.
(1) The term of office on the Student Council is two semesters.
(2) For members whose term begins in the winter semester, the term ends with the constituent meeting of the new Student Council in the following winter semester; for members whose term begins in the summer semester, the term ends with the constituent meeting of the new Student Council in the following summer semester.
(3) Three to four new members are elected each semester.
(4) The election takes place once per semester during the lecture period, usually in the penultimate or antepenultimate week of the lecture period.
(5) The election period is defined as the time between the announcement of the election and the expiration of the appeals period.
(1) Elections shall be conducted by free, equal, direct, and secret ballot.
(2) Elections shall be decided by a majority vote.
Every member of the student body has the right to vote and to stand for election.
(1) The term of office of the Election Committee is one year.
(2) The Election Committee is formed once a year by the Student Council from among the student body. This must take place at least six weeks before the next scheduled election date.
(3) The Election Committee is responsible for the proper preparation and conduct of the Student Council elections during its term of office.
(4) The Election Committee consists of at least three members. If members leave during the Election Committee’s term of office, the Student Council shall appoint replacements.
(5) Members of the Election Committee may not stand as candidates in the elections themselves.
(6) The Election Committee may enlist additional persons to assist during the voting and counting process. These persons need not be members of the student body. They may also not stand as candidates in the elections themselves.
(7) The Student Council must provide the Election Committee with all materials necessary for the preparation and conduct of the election.
(1) The Election Committee shall announce the election for the Student Council no later than four weeks before the election. The election shall be announced to the student body via email.
(2) The election notice shall provide information on the date, location, and other details of the election. It should include the information listed in § 12 of the Framework Regulations for Elections of the Student Body of the University of Potsdam dated February 6, 2018.
(1) Candidateship for the Student Council must be submitted in writing. The notification of candidateship must be submitted to the Election Committee no later than three weeks before the election. It must include the candidate’s first and last name, email address, degree program, and, if applicable, the candidate’s semester.
(2) The Election Committee may decide to extend the deadline for submitting candidateships, but this deadline shall end no later than one week before the election.
(3) The candidates shall be announced to the student body via email no later than one week before the election.
(1) Each member of the student body has four votes. Votes may not be cumulated.
(2) Voters are not bound to the candidateships.
(3) Eligible voters are given the option to cast their vote either in person or by mail. If a person has voted both by mail and in person, the mail-in vote will be forfeited.
(4) In the event of multiple persons with the same name, the name listed in the HPI domain followed by a number shall be used for voting. The Election Committee shall announce this at the opening of the election.
(1) Once the election is concluded, the Election Committee shall determine how many votes were cast for each candidate. The vote count shall take place immediately following the election or on the next lecture day following the election. It shall be conducted publicly for all members of the student body and must be announced by the Election Committee via email to the student body no later than two days before the election.
(2) To be elected, a candidate must have received at least 4% of the votes cast. If fewer than three candidates have reached this minimum threshold, the election must be repeated.
(3) The four candidates with the most votes are elected, provided they have reached the required minimum threshold.
(4) In the event of a tie for the last seat, overhang seats are created.
(5) Once the vote count is complete, the Election Committee shall immediately notify all elected candidates and ask them to accept their election.
(6) Acceptance must be communicated to the Election Committee within four days of the request. Otherwise, acceptance is deemed to have been refused.
(7) For refused seats, the next persons in line according to the number of votes in the election results shall move up in accordance with sections 2 through 6. If fewer than three people in total accept the election, the election must be repeated.
(1) The Election Committee shall notify the student body of the election results by email no later than two days after all members have accepted.
(2) The existing Student Council shall invite the newly elected members to a constituent meeting to be held no later than two weeks after the announcement of the election results.
(1) The election may be appealed within one week of the publication of the election results. An appeal must be submitted in writing to the Election Committee, stating the reasons for the appeal. Only the reasons listed in § 21 (2) of the Framework Regulations for Elections of the Student Body of the University of Potsdam dated February 6, 2018, shall be considered.
(2) The Election Committee shall decide on the admissibility and consequences of the challenge in accordance with this Electoral Code and the Framework Regulations for Elections of the Student Body of the University of Potsdam.
Resignations are handled in accordance with the Rules of Procedure of the Digital Engineering Student Council. The Student Council is responsible for succession procedures and accepts the appointment of successors. The student body must be notified of all changes in membership.
(1) In case of doubt, these election regulations shall be interpreted in accordance with the provisions of the current Framework Regulations for Elections of the Student Body of the University of Potsdam.
(2) To the extent that these election regulations do not contain a provision that is indispensable and cannot be determined by interpretation, the provisions of the current Framework Regulations for Elections of the Student Body of the University of Potsdam shall apply accordingly.
(1) The Student Council may amend this Electoral Code. A resolution to this effect requires a two-thirds majority of all members of the Student Council.
(2) An amendment to the Election Regulations may only be made if the student body was informed of the proposed amendment in writing at least 14 days in advance and was given an appropriate opportunity for discussion.
(3) The Student Council must inform the student body of the amendment by email within three days of the resolution.
(4) During the period of an election, the Electoral Code shall apply in the version in effect at the beginning of that period.