GS Election Guidelines for Members 2026-27 Last updated: 26 October 2026 Introduction This document sets out the Guidelines for Members participating in the Musicians' Union General Secretary Election process 2027 who are not standing as candidates for election and are not members of MU staff (i.e. candidate supporters, nominators and voters). These Guidelines were approved by the MU Executive Committee at its meeting on 9 September 2026 and are designed to ensure that: All eligible members are able to participate freely and fairly in the democratic process; All candidates are treated equally throughout the election process; Campaigning and the showing of support for candidates during the process is conducted respectfully and honestly; Members can make informed decisions when nominating candidates and casting their votes; and Confidence is maintained in the integrity, fairness and transparency of the election process at all times. Members are encouraged to take an active part in the election process, whether by nominating a candidate, attending a hustings meeting, supporting a candidate's campaign or voting in the postal ballot. Any concerns regarding compliance with this guidance should be reported to the Process Administrator, AGS Phil Kear, as soon as possible, via email to: GS-Election@themu.org Process Oversight Process Administrator Day to day administration of the entire election process will be overseen by the “Process Administrator” AGS Phil Kear. The “Process Administrator,” is authorised to act on behalf of the EC in relation to all matters concerning the election process, and will be contactable by all parties via email to: GS-Election@themu.org Election Administration Panel An “Election Administration Panel” consisting of 3 EC members was elected by the MU Executive Committee at its meeting on 8 July 2026, which will assist the Process Administrator with decision-making, as needed, throughout the election process. Independent Scrutineer The independent scrutineer is a qualified, independent third-party appointed to oversee, verify, and guarantee the legal integrity of the election process. The independent scrutineer selected to oversee this election process by the MU Executive Committee at its meeting on 8 July 2026, was PIN Communications (formerly “UK Engage”) The Tannery, Water Street, Stockport SK1 2BP General Principles 1. The election belongs to the members of the Musicians' Union and should be conducted in a manner that reflects the Union's values of democracy, equality, fairness and mutual respect. 2. Members, aside from those who are also employees of the MU (who are required to maintain neutrality throughout the process), are entitled to support candidates of their choosing and to express their views about the election, provided this is done lawfully, respectfully and in accordance with these Guidelines. 3. Every eligible member should have an equal opportunity to participate in the election process. 4. Members should respect the right of fellow members to support different candidates and hold differing views. 5. Disagreement over policies, priorities or leadership approaches is legitimate. Personal attacks, abusive behaviour, harassment or intimidation are not. Voter Eligibility New Joiners 6. Members joining the Union after the date candidate applications open (26 October 2026) will not be eligible to nominate candidates, attend hustings or vote in the postal ballot. Leavers 7. Nominations cast by members who are eligible to do so at the point the nominations process opens but who subsequently leave the Union before the nomination process closes will still be counted as valid. 8. Members eligible to vote in the postal ballot when the election process opens, who subsequently leave the Union before the postal ballot opens will be excluded from the postal ballot. However, votes cast in the postal ballot by members who subsequently leave the Union before the postal ballot closes will still be counted as valid. Free and Concessionary Members 9. Members who have been excused subscriptions under Rule XI (2) or Rule XI (3) are excluded from; standing as a candidate; nominating a candidate; attending hustings; and voting in a General Secretary ballot. 10. Members who have been granted concessionary member status under Rule XI (5) or Rule XI (6) are eligible to; stand as a candidate; nominate a candidate; attend hustings; and vote in a General Secretary ballot. Nominating Candidates 11. Candidates qualifying to take part in the process will have a period of a minimum of eight weeks prior to the start of the postal ballot to gather nominations from eligible members. Each candidate must secure a minimum of 50 such nominations by the nomination deadline in order to proceed to the postal ballot stage of the process. 12. An online nominations portal will be provided to facilitate nominations. Each eligible member may submit only one nomination. Once submitted, a nomination cannot be amended, withdrawn or transferred to another candidate. 13. In order to be counted a nomination must be submitted before the published nomination deadline. The nomination opening date and deadline will be determined by the EC as part of the overall election process timetable, and these will be published to members through usual MU communication channels. 14. Members should review candidate election statements and other published election information before making their nomination. Supporting Candidates 15. Members, aside from those who are also employees of the MU (who are required to maintain neutrality throughout the process), are entitled to support and campaign for a candidate of their choice. 16. Any support given to a candidate must be entirely voluntary and unpaid. 17. Members must not pressure, intimidate, harass or improperly influence other members to support or oppose any candidate. 18. Members should ensure that campaign activity remains respectful towards all candidates, other members and employees of the Union. 19. Members should not present personal opinions as official positions of the Musicians' Union. 20. Members should not falsely represent the views of other members or claim support that has not been given. Campaigning 21. Members may: discuss the election with other members; encourage participation in the process; share candidates' election statements; attend campaign meetings and hustings; express support for candidates; and engage in lawful campaigning activities. 22. Campaigning should focus on candidates' policies, experience, leadership qualities and proposals for the future of the Union. 23. Members should not engage in: personal attacks; discriminatory language; harassment or bullying; threats or intimidation; deliberate misinformation; publication of private or confidential information; or conduct likely to bring the Union into disrepute. 24. Members supporting a candidate should take reasonable care to ensure that information they circulate is accurate. 25. Where a member becomes aware that inaccurate election information has been shared by them, they should take reasonable steps to promptly correct it. 26. No member should claim to speak on behalf of the Union unless authorised to do so. Use of Union Resources 27. No MU funds, property or non-publicly available resources are to be used in campaigning activities for any individual candidate. This includes the contact details of MU members stored within the MU membership database (“Subscriber”) or elsewhere within the MU’s internal IT systems. Any access and use of such data for campaigning activities by the supporters of a candidate constitutes a breach of UK data protection legislation and could result in action being taken against the supporter under the MU’s member disciplinary process and potentially the candidate being excluded from the process. 28. Members must not obtain, use or share membership data, mailing lists or contact information for campaign purposes unless lawfully obtained and used with the consent of the individuals concerned. Social Media 29. Members are free to discuss the election on social media and other online platforms. However, members should not engage in any of the following online: personal attacks; discriminatory language; harassment or bullying; threats or intimidation; deliberate misinformation; publication of private or confidential information; or conduct likely to bring the Union into disrepute. 30. All complaints regarding such behaviour will be investigated by the Process Administrator, in liaison with the EC GS Election sub-Committee, and if such behaviour is found to have breached the MU Rules will result in the Union’s disciplinary process being instigated. 31. Members should not create content that impersonates official MU channels or falsely suggests endorsement by the Union. Regional Hustings 32. Hustings are intended to help members assess candidates’ suitability for the role of General Secretary and make informed decisions on who to nominate, support and vote for. 33. Members attending hustings should treat all candidates fairly and respectfully. 34. Questions should relate to candidates' suitability for the role, proposed priorities, policies or relevant issues facing the Union. 35. Members should comply with reasonable instructions given by the Chair to ensure hustings are conducted fairly. 36. Disruptive, abusive or intimidating behaviour may result in removal from the meeting. 37. Attendance at a hustings does not constitute support for any particular candidate. Ballot 38. If more than one candidate achieves the minimum number of nominations required to proceed to the postal ballot, a ballot of eligible members will be carried out. It is planned to open on 8 February 2027 and close four weeks later on 5 March 2027. 39. Voting is a personal and confidential decision. Members should not seek to discover how another member has voted unless that information is volunteered freely. Members should not offer incentives, gifts, benefits or favours in exchange for support or votes. 40. Where a ballot is required, it will be undertaken using the alternative vote system, a preferential voting system in which voters rank the candidates in order of preference rather than voting for a single candidate. The winner of the ballot will be the candidate who polls the most votes, provided that they also secure more than 50% of the votes cast. 41. Ballots will be initially distributed based on each elector's first preference. If a candidate secures more than half of votes cast, that candidate wins. Otherwise, the candidate with the fewest votes is eliminated. Ballots assigned to the eliminated candidate are recounted and added to the totals of the remaining candidates based on who is ranked next on each ballot. This process continues until one candidate wins by obtaining more than half the votes. 42. If only a single candidate secures the minimum number of nominations or greater the Scrutineer will be invited to declare the candidate as elected unopposed. Respect for Employees and Election Officials 43. MU employees who are not candidates are required to remain neutral throughout the election process. Members should respect this requirement. 44. Members should not ask employees to endorse candidates, assist campaigns, provide membership data or use Union resources for campaign purposes. 45. Members should respect the role of the Process Administrator, the Election Assistance Panel, the Independent Scrutineer and all others responsible for administering the election. Complaints and Concerns 46. Members who believe that these Guidelines, the election rules or relevant legislation have been breached should report their concerns to the Process Administrator, AGS Phil Kear, as soon as possible, via email to: GS-Election@themu.org 47. Complaints should, where possible, include: details of the incident; relevant dates and times; copies of supporting evidence; and names of any witnesses. 48. Members should not misuse the complaints process for tactical or campaign purposes. Further Information All election information, including: the election timetable; election rules and guidance; candidate election statements; candidate photographs; hustings information; and ballot information; Any question regarding this guidance should be directed to the Process Administrator, AGS Phil Kear, via email to: GS-Election@themu.org