Some of the University Students’ Council presidential candidates have encountered bumps along the campaign trail.

Matthijs van Gaalen has received 13 demerit points for unfair play and pre-campaigning, while Matt Hyland received three for an outdoor signing violation.

“Pre-campaigning refers to campaigning or the distribution of any campaign material […] before the official start of the campaign period,” Phil Sach, chief returning officer for the USC, explained.

Sach noted van Gaalen’s charge was based on online materials posted before the start of the campaign, as well as the premature placement of supports for his sign on University College Hill.

“Although the sign did not have campaign materials attached, candidates were not supposed to have materials on the hill before the official start of the campaign,” Sach explained. “There is also a monetary fine attached to each point ­­– for presidential candidates, it is $6 per point.”

Hyland was assigned demerit points because his signs were stuck in the ground — a violation he unsuccessfully attempted to appeal.

Van Gaalen also encountered a setback last week when Arjun Gupta, van Gaalen’s former campaign manager, decided to step down from his position.

“It’s not a resignation in any way — a lot of people use that word, but I don’t think that’s the way you should be using it,” van Gaalen explained.

Arjun Gupta has a received a new position within the campaign.

“Personal matters arose which I have to deal with, and I wish Matthijs all the best for the campaign,” Gupta explained.

“He’s in the position which his skills — he has many of them — are best suited for, ” van Gaalen explained of his campaign’s restructuring.

“He’s in the role he is best at, and when Arjun goes behind something […] he goes full tilt at it, and he gets very involved,” van Gaalen added.

“I’m still a strong supporter of Matthijs,” Gupta added.

Both parties felt they were still on good terms,

“There’s no bad blood between us at all,” van Gaalen explained “I think we’ve gotten closer through this ordeal.”