Shermar Pryce, President for Communities and Common Rooms at the Oxford University Student Union (SU), has been found guilty of electoral malpractice by the Oxford Union Society.
An Oxford Union tribunal ruled that Pryce interfered in the Union’s 2025 Trinity term elections, using his influence on social media to solicit votes for George Abaraonye. This included campaigning for Abaraonye and distributing a Cherwell article concerning a police investigation into Rosalie Chapman, the other candidate in the Trinity term election, and her connection with an anonymous smear campaign. Abaraonye won the election, receiving 611 first preference votes against Chapman’s 416 votes.
The article was shared by Pryce in a Union-affiliated WhatsApp group chat with approximately 200 members, as well as his personal Instagram story, where he has over 3,000 followers. The panel ruled that this was sufficient evidence to convict Pryce of electoral malpractice.
Cherwell understands that Pryce is currently appealing the ruling, and that the decision is not final until the appellate board reaches its decision.
Pryce told Cherwell in a personal capacity: “This matter predates any relationship and my employment with the Students’ Union. The matter relates to an internal process at a private members’ club which is unrelated to the University or the Students’ Union. It would be inappropriate for me to comment further until that process has concluded.”
The unknown owner of the Instagram account Overheard at Oxford has also been convicted of electoral malpractice, specifically “acting violently or in a manner that is liable to distress, grossly offend, or intimidate others in connection with the Election”. The account, which has just over 15,000 followers, posts quotes from Oxford University students that have been overheard around the city. These quotes are often humorous, relating to student life and intercollegiate rivalries.
According to the report: “It has clearly become so widely believed that Mr Pryce controls OaO”, however, Pryce “categorically” denies the ownership. The evidence initially led to a “unanimous verdict, beyond reasonable doubt, based on Mr Pryce’s apparent control of the [Overheard at Oxford] Instagram account”. However, this decision was reversed for procedural reasons. The panel decided that time restrictions meant that Pryce would not have “enough time to properly rebut the case”, so this raised concerns that the decision would be “procedurally unfair”.
Chapman told Cherwell: “What I went through during the Trinity election was extremely distressing…I still care deeply about this institution, and I hope this decision helps move the Union toward a more respectful and fair democratic culture.” The statement was made regarding Overheard at Oxford account, whose ownership remains unconfirmed.
As SU President for Communities and Common Rooms, Pryce sits on a number of University committees, acting as a representative for Oxford students. During his election campaign he was endorsed by all of Oxford’s main political societies, including the University’s Labour Club (OLC), Conservative Association (OUCA), and Liberal Association (OSLA). Pryce was also elected to the Union Society’s standing committee during Trinity term 2024.
, has been found guilty of electoral malpractice by the Oxford Union Society.){kind=link}