diff --git a/classes/election_cycle.py b/classes/election_cycle.py
index ef76c02..97769d1 100644
--- a/classes/election_cycle.py
+++ b/classes/election_cycle.py
@@ -4,6 +4,8 @@ Contains the election cycle class
 
 from datetime import datetime, timedelta
 
+from nextcord.ext import commands
+
 
 class ElectionCycle:
     """
@@ -11,7 +13,7 @@ class ElectionCycle:
     the cycle.
     """
 
-    def __init__(self, election_start: datetime, term_start: datetime, term_end: datetime) -> None:
+    def __init__(self, election_start: datetime, term_start: datetime, term_end: datetime, bot) -> None:
         """
         Generates all dates relevant to the election cycle from input election start, term start and end dates.
 
@@ -19,13 +21,15 @@ class ElectionCycle:
             election_start (datetime): Date the election cycle starts.
             term_start (datetime): Date the term being elected starts.
             term_end (datetime): Date the term being elected ends.
+            bot: the discord bot instance
         """
-        self.election_start: datetime = election_start
-        self.term_start: datetime = term_start
-        self.term_end: datetime = term_end  # might not be needed
-        self.voting_start: datetime = self.election_start + timedelta(days=7)
-        self.voting_end: datetime = self.voting_start + timedelta(days=7)
-        self.highcouncil_election: datetime = self.voting_end + timedelta(days=1)
+        self._election_start: datetime = election_start
+        self._term_start: datetime = term_start
+        self._term_end: datetime = term_end  # might not be needed
+        self._voting_start: datetime = self._election_start + timedelta(days=7)
+        self._voting_end: datetime = self._voting_start + timedelta(days=7)
+        self._highcouncil_election: datetime = self._voting_end + timedelta(days=1)
+        self._bot: commands.Bot = bot
 
     def check_date(self) -> None:
         """
@@ -35,13 +39,13 @@ class ElectionCycle:
 
         # check all dates if action is needed
         match today.date():
-            case self.election_start.date():
+            case self._election_start.date():
                 self.election_start_action()
-            case self.voting_start.date():
+            case self._voting_start.date():
                 self.voting_end_action()
-            case self.voting_end.date():
+            case self._voting_end.date():
                 self.voting_end_action()
-            case self.highcouncil_election.date():
+            case self._highcouncil_election.date():
                 self.highcouncil_election_action()
 
     def election_start_action(self) -> None: