The referendum to amend section 1.5 of the TCDSU constitution was passed on Friday, following three days of voting. With a voter turnout of 801 students, 58% of voters were in favour of changing the constitution’s wording with 42% voting against.
The referendum, which took place in the Arts Block, the Hamilton Building, and St. James Hospital, commenced last Wednesday to change article 1.5 of the TCDSU constitution which stated that the TCDSU would conduct its role “independent of any political racial or religious ideology”.
The amended article wording states “The Union shall pursue these objectives independent of any political party or religious organisation.”
This changed wording now grants the Student Union the ability to take an official stance on political issues and effectively removes what is often referred to as the “apolitical mandate” from the union’s constitution.
Former TCDSU president László Molnárfi, who campaigned for the proposed amendment, stated that the wording of the section 1.5 was “a hurdle to representing students interests, a hurdle to standing up for marginalized groups, and for standing up to the government. Let’s get rid of it”
The Union Council voted to hold the referendum to amend section 1.5 of the constitution in a meeting in November.
At that meeting, current TCDSU President Jenny Maguire, who spoke in favour of holding the referendum, described the pre-existing wording as “racist and confusing” adding that it “doesn’t serve any purpose but to create unnecessary confusion, division and strife.”
