The Cambridge Union Society has lifted a press ban during elections and will allow online canvassing, in an attempt to increase the number of voters.

By a unanimous vote, a motion was passed at a Special General Meeting on Wednesday, which stated that anybody running for President can now use media such as Facebook and student newspapers in their election campaigns.

A Review Committee had been asked to advise on reforms to Union Society election rules, which consisted of Rahul Mansigani (Cambridge University Students’ Union President), Julien Domercq (ex-officio Union Society President, Michaelmas 2009) and Jan-Jonathan Bock (ex-officio Union Society Senior Committee Member, Michaelmas 2009).

Speaking to Varsity, Mr Mansigani said: “We aimed to reduce the level of regulation, subject to maintaining a free and fair contest, while also trying to raise the profile of Union elections.”

He added: “The media, both online and in print, now form an important part of how students form their opinion during elections, and it is hoped that this will increase turnout in Union elections, which is often disappointing.”

Other changes passed during the Special General Meeting included restoring the title of ‘vice-president’,  changing the time of the Easter election to avoid clashes with exams, imposing lighter punishments for offences, and changing to the term of office to run from July.

Current Union President Lauren Davidson said: ‘I hope that the new rules will make Union elections more open, exciting, and inclusive.”

There has been some controversy surrounding the role of the media in Union elections in the past. In November, Presidential candidate Gabriel Latner was penalised 40% of his first preference votes for commenting on an article by The Tab.

Then, in a pre-election interview with Varsity, which resulted in his disqualification, he said: “Given that elections are (or at least should be) all about communicating ideas to the voters, talking to media outlets is an integral part of most campaigns”.