Operating Procedures

Operating Procedures

FEDERATION OF BANGLADESHI ASSOCIATIONS IN NORTH AMERICA

(FOBANA)

Article I: Geographical Location

Section 1: FOBANA shall be a North America wide organization. It shall not be limited to a particular state, province or city. The mailing address of the Registered Agent, Chairperson or any of the authorized Office Bearers can be used as the permanent address for official business.

Article II: The Business and Fiscal Year

Section 1: The business year of the FOBANA shall be from one FOBANA convention to the next FOBANA convention.

Section 2: The fiscal year of the FOBANA shall be from January 1 through December 31.

Article III: Organization

Section 1: The General Body:

a) The General Body of FOBANA shall consist of all member organizations in good standing and all individual members in the Executive Committee.

b) The General Body shall meet at least once a year.

c) The General Body of Members shall have the authority to modify or annul any decision made by the Executive Committee.

Section 2: The Executive Body:

a) The Executive body of FOBANA shall consist of at least 21 (Twenty One) but no more than 25 (Twenty Five) members and shall be called the FOBANA Executive Committee.

b) There shall be 1 (One) Chairperson, 1 (One) Vice Chairperson, 1 (One) Executive Secretary, 1 (One) Joint Executive Secretary, 1 (One) Treasurer and 7 (Seven) Outstanding Members and at least 9 (nine), but no more than 13 (Thirteen) Member Organizations as the Office Bearers.

c) The Chairperson, Vice-Chairperson, Executive Secretary, Joint Executive Secretary, Treasurer, 7 (Seven) Individuals members (respected individuals who have outstanding contributions to FOBANA) and up to 13 (Thirteen) members representing FOBANA Member Organizations shall be elected each year by the General Body of FOBANA.

d) The head of the member organization or his/her representative shall represent the organization in the Executive Committee.

e) Each member representing an organization shall be elected for a period of one year. If the person’s term of office (in his/her organization) expires, the person replacing the outgoing person in that office shall complete the rest of the one-year term.

f) The Convener and Member Secretary of the current FOBANA convention shall automatically become a member of the FOBANA Executive Committee as outstanding members in the following year. They shall not be qualified to run as Chairperson or Member Secretary next year.

g) The term of office bearers shall be for one year.

h) The Executive Committee shall meet at least once a year. The presence of one-third members shall make a quorum.

i) The Executive Committee shall form as many subcommittees as required in order to carry out the function of FOBANA.

j) Each Sub-committee shall have a Chairperson who shall report to the Executive Committee upon completion of the task or as directed otherwise.

k) The Executive Committee shall assign its members the roles and responsibilities to manage each functional area identified in the By-Laws.\

l) Elected host organization shall automatically become a member of the FOBANA Executive Committee out of 13 (Thirteen) member organizations.

Section 3: The Advisors

a) There shall be at least 3 Advisors to be nominated and selected by the Executive Committee for a term of one year.

b) Individuals who have made excellent contribution to FOBANA in the past and or served FOBANA shall be eligible for this position.

c) All ex-chairpersons of FOBANA will have an option to be automatically selected as Advisors after serving one year as outstanding members. This will not be valid for any chairperson or persons designated as “persona non grata”.

d) The Advisors shall provide advice and guidance to the Executive Committee and ensure participation in meetings as needed basis.

e) The responsibilities shall include but not limited to, involve on broader aspects relative to legal matters, hearing grievances and conflict resolution, and mediate variances.

f) The Advisors shall avoid any conflicts and direct participation in the election process or its operational matters.

g) Advisors shall have no voting rights, shall not openly support any candidate and shall not influence election. However if an Advisor represents an organization then the Advisor shall be entitled to all the rights and privileges including voting rights. In that special case the Advisor will be requested to resign from the post of the Advisor.

Article IV: Membership

Section 1: FOBANA shall be an organization of organizations. Individuals can not be a member of FOBANA.

Section 2: Except those organizations mentioned in the Articles of Incorporation, any organization may apply for membership of FOBANA.

Section 3: Prospective member organization must have at least 50 documented members on file when applying for membership.

Section 4: Prospective member organization must elect their officials democratically.

Section 5: Prospective member organization must be involved in community activities serving people of Bangladeshi origins in North America.

Section 6: Membership application, in prescribed form, must be submitted to the Executive body of FOBANA.

Section 7: The membership application must be recommended by at least one member organization of FOBANA.

Section 8: The application must be submitted at least thirty days (30) before the scheduled meeting of the General Body of FOBANA.

Section 9: Membership application shall accompany application fee and yearly dues.

Section 10: The application fee shall be non-refundable.

Section 12: The amount of application fee and membership dues and late fee charge shall be decided every year at the annual general meeting of the General Body. In case of no decision taken, the charges of immediate pervious year shall prevail.

Section 13: The Executive Body or its duly appointed subcommittee shall examine the application and if no irregularities are found, it shall recommend to the Executive Body to accept the membership.

Section 14: In case any objection is raised at the Executive Body, it shall be placed for review by the General Body and the majority members' decision shall be accepted.

Section 15: In case a membership application is not accepted, the General body shall, through the Chairman of FOBANA, inform the organization explaining the reason for denial. Membership dues shall be refunded but not the application fee.

Section 16: When membership application is accepted by the General Body, the organization shall become member of FOBANA beginning the next business year.

Section 17: Yearly membership dues must be paid in advance. For example - membership dues for the year 2006 must be paid by November 30, 2005. If not paid by November 30, the membership shall be suspended beginning January 1. However the membership can be renewed by March 31, but a late fee charge shall be applied. If the membership is not renewed by March 31, the membership of the organization shall automatically be cancelled. The organization shall have to apply as a new member.

Section 18: A suspended member shall not have any privilege such as to participate in organizational matter including exercising the right of vote in any decision making.

Section 19: An organization may withdraw its membership by a written request signed by majority members of the Executive body of the membership organization.

Section 20: An organization that withdrew its membership may apply again. However, it shall be considered as a new applicant.

Section 21: No two member-organizations shall have the same name. No two organizations shall have similar names that may create confusion.

Section 22: In case where a member organization breaks up and two or more parties claim to be the inheritance of the parent organization, the head of the organization immediately before the break up shall identify the inheritance of the parent organization. To become a member of FOBANA, the other party or parties must come up with a different, not confusing name and shall have to apply as a new member.

Article V: Voting Rights

Section 1: Only member organizations in good standing shall be allowed to vote.

Section 2: New member organizations shall not be allowed to vote in the first year of their membership period.

Section 3: Any member organization that was a member previously, but not in the immediately past year shall be allowed to vote provided they meet all requirements for renewing their membership and accepted as member by the member verification committee.

Section 4: Each EC member has an individual voting right, but then they shall not be allowed to cast another vote as the head of a member organization. In that event, there has to be another person voting for it who has written authorization and met the approval from the Election Commissioner.

Article VI: Authority

Section 1: The General Body of FOBANA, consisting of its members, shall have the authority to remove any or all the members, including office bearers of the Executive Committee by a resolution of vote of no-confidence passed by 2/3 (Two-thirds) majority of members present at the meeting or by 2/3 (Two-thirds) majority of members in a mail ballot or by resolution adopted by a 2/3 (Two-thirds) majority of members present in a Special General Meeting called for the purpose. Special General Meeting could be arranged via teleconference. Special General Meeting could be arranged via teleconference. However, impeachment, ousting or abolishment of the entire executive committee can only be done in a face to face general meeting.

Section 2: The Executive Committee shall have the right to revoke the privilege of the Host Organization to host the annual convention and override the decision taken at the annual general meeting if the Host Organization does not adhere to the guideline set forth in the By-Laws for preparing for the convention.

Section 3: The authority of the Host Organization or Host Committee shall be limited to organizing the annual convention as defined in the By-Laws.

Section 4: The decision taken by the simple majority of the Executive Committee members shall have the final authority on any areas not explicitly mentioned in the Constitution or By-Laws.

Article VII: Annual Meeting

Section 1: There shall be at least one FOBANA General Body meeting.

Section 2: Simple majority of the member – organizations (not number of persons representing various organizations) shall make the quorum.

Section 3: The following businesses shall be conducted at the Annual General Body Meeting:

a) Review the activities of the past year.

b) Review the audited financial report of the past year

c) Elect Officers for the following year

d) Elect Host Organization for the next FOBANA Convention

e) Miscellaneous matters included in the agenda

f) Any other matters from the floor

Article VIII: Amendment Process

Section 1: Amendments to the Article of Incorporation shall be jointly proposed in writing by at least two (2) member organizations and submitted to the Executive Committee at least forty-five (45) days in advance. Requests from individual or single member organization shall not be entertained.

Section 2: Any amendments to the Articles of Incorporation shall require the consent of simple majority of the General Body of FOBANA and/or two-third (2/3) members of the Executive Committee.

Section 3: Amendments of the By-Laws may be proposed by any single member organization of FOBANA and must be submitted to the Executive Committee at least thirty (30) days prior to yearly general meeting or Executive Committee Meeting or teleconference. Requests from individual shall not be entertained.

Section 4: Any amendment to the By-Laws shall require simple majority of the General Body of FOBANA or members of the Executive Committee.

Article IX: Activities
Section 1: The main activity of the FOBANA shall be, but not limited to, hold an annual convention.

Section 2: The FOBANA shall either itself host the annual convention or give the responsibility to one of its member organizations to host the convention. The practice should be to choose an organization to be the host of the convention.

Section 3: FOBANA shall promote and uphold the interest of the Bangladeshi Community in North America.

Article X: Roles and Responsibilities of Officers

Section 1: Chairperson:

The Chairperson shall be the Chief Executive Officer of this Organization. Chairperson shall lead, guide and Chair the Executive Committee meetings, represent FOBANA to outside bodies and the Committee to the General Body members. Chairperson shall maintain liaison and coordination with the Bangladesh Embassy, the Government, and contact with Advisors to seek guidance when needed.

Section 2: Vice-Chairperson:

The Vice Chairperson shall be the second person in the order of precedence to the Chairperson and shall carry out the Chairperson’s function in the Chairpersons’ absence or when authorized by the Chairperson. Vice Chairperson shall oversee the function of Legal wing and all sub-committees including providing guidance and making decisions needed for its operation.

Section 3: Executive Secretary:

The Executive Secretary shall be responsible for all organizational matters and shall oversee the functions and operation of Mainstream, Media and Youth wings of the Organization. The responsibilities shall include but not limited to, all administrative matters, develop strategic plans both long and short term, develop marketing plan, keeping minutes of the meeting, distribution of the minutes of the meeting, maintain official files including updated list of membership and their contact addresses and telephone numbers, coordination in the execution on EC decisions, assisting Host Organizations, and communicating with media. The Executive Secretary shall also prepare and present the Annual report, assist in the formation of Election Committee and any other sub-committees.

Section 4: Joint Executive Secretary:

The Joint Executive Secretary shall assist the Executive Secretary and acts as the Executive General Secretary in his/her absence. The Joint Executive Secretary shall record minutes and prepare and submit draft copies to the Executive General Secretary for his/her attention. The Joint Executive Secretary shall assist in the development of local organizations and to become member of FOBANA Organizations; assist organization in outreaching the Youth, Mainstream arena and neglected area.

Section 5: Treasurer:

The Treasurer shall hold the funds, manage all financial matters including maintenance of up-to-date records of all financial transactions, submit statement of receipts and expenses to the Executive Committee, preparation of accounts and budget, collection of dues, responsible preparation of annual balance sheet and income statement for audit, Tax Return to IRS, maintain annual registration status current, deal with insurance matters, and marketing. The treasurer shall also prepare and present the Annual Report to the General Body Meeting.

The account shall be maintained in a reputed banking institution; the account shall be operated by the Treasurer. The Chairperson may empower the Executive Secretary or Joint Executive Secretary to operate the account in the absence of Treasurer. Treasurer shall liaise and coordinate with Host Committee in tracking matters and seeking information related to financial status in accordance with the policy guidelines of FOBANA.

Article XI: Sub Committees

Section 1: The Executive Committee can form any number of sub committees to help facilitate or conduct the business of the organization.

Section 2: Each Subcommittee shall be chaired by one of the Executive Committee members and will have at least one other member.

Section 3: Subcommittees shall have the right to co-opt any number of members from the Executive Committee or Member Organizations to be a part of their subcommittee.

Section 4: Subcommittees may co-opt technical experts, subject matter experts or consultants to carry out their responsibilities.

Section 5: Subcommittee shall be required to give a progress report in the Executive Committee meetings.

Article XII: Roles and Responsibilities Sub Committees

Section 1: Cultural Subcommittee

This Subcommittee shall be responsible for organizing periodic Bangladesh Convention in North America and maintain coordination with the Host Committee. The responsibilities shall include but not limited to, lead and guide the Host Committee and its cultural committee to organize Socio cultural events, organize seminars and workshop, arrange publication of Souvenirs, assist in the selection of artists, chief guest, to assure that the aspirations of FOBANA have been preserved. The Position shall also be responsible for maintaining database for artists, work towards strengthening ties between USA, Canada and Bangladesh, and mediate variances on any cultural issues with host organization.

Section 2: Legal Subcommittee

This Subcommittee shall be responsible for all legal issues affecting the operation of FOBANA. The responsibilities shall include but not limited to, select and hire an on call Attorney, prepare budget and payment, initiate action to promote and protect FOBANA interest, represent FOBANA and handle all legal issues, guide to resolve disputes, mediate variances, and review important letters and documents before they are issued as needed.

Section 3: Business Subcommittee

This Subcommittee shall be responsible for promoting NRB (Non-Resident Bangladeshi) investment in Bangladesh, maintaining contact with Bangladeshi Business Organizations, preparing and maintaining all professional NRB data base, preparing and maintaining NRB investment database and formulate policies. He(she) shall also be responsible for open communication, leading and guiding on NRB issues, liaising with Bangladesh Embassy and Government, liaise with US America and Bangladesh Business Council, hold seminars and share information .

Section 4: FOBANA Forum Subcommittee

This Subcommittee shall be responsible for Alumni, Women and Senior Citizen interest. The responsibilities shall include but not limited to, support women’s right, guide and assist in resolving issues affecting them, providing guidance and financial assistance to distressed women and seniors, maintain a list of Alumni and organize meetings to receive feed backs and guidance, maintain contact with Dhaka Chapter in Bangladesh and any other countries in overseas.

Section 5: Media, Communication and Web Subcommittee

This Subcommittee shall function under the Organization umbrella and be responsible for making contacts with media, web, print and electronic. The responsibilities shall include involve with basic marketing, handle Cyber World requirement, publishing a news letter, telephone directory, communication with journalists, newspapers, publish advertisement, making payment, guide Host Organization and issue press release as needed.

Section 6: Mainstream Outreach Subcommittee Roles and Responsibilities

This Subcommittee shall function under the Organization umbrella and be responsible for encouraging members to get involved in mainstream, work with diversity in mainstream contacts, with the elected leaders of both North America and Bangladesh. The responsibilities shall include but not limited to lead, guide in dealing with leaders, lobbying for BD needs, alert with current issues, represent FOBANA in all events involving mainstream, and check against political, religious and regional influence on FOBANA.

Section 7: Youth Subcommittee

This Subcommittee shall function under the Organization umbrella and be responsible for all youth affairs. The responsibilities shall include but not limited to, develop youth chapter, develop leadership, encouraging young members to participate, work with diversity in mainstream, host seminars, support volunteers, assist in job search, and establish contacts and share information affecting their interest.

Section 8: Constitution and Procedure Review Subcommittee

This Subcommittee shall review the Articles of Incorporation, By-laws, all official forms, procedures, guidelines and report their recommendation to the Executive Committee.

Section 9: Support and Monitor Host Committee Subcommittee

The subcommittee shall closely work with the Host Organization to help them organize the convention.

Section 10: Seminar Subcommittee

The subcommittee shall closely work with the Host Organization to help them organize the seminars in the convention.

Article XIII: Eligibility to be a Host Organization

Section 1: The member organization shall be required to have prior experience to host at least a mini convention,

Section 2: The member organization shall be an active member of FOBANA for two (2) years.

Section 3: The member organization shall not be qualified to become a Host Committee again within three (3) years of hosting a FOBANA Convention.

Section 5: The member organization shall be required to sign an agreement with FOBANA to the effect that they shall abide by the FOBANA Constitution, By-Laws and Guideline for Organizing FOBANA Convention without any reservation and pay by a certified check an amount of $1000.00 in advance as Security Deposit. This deposit shall be refunded to the Host Committee prior to hosting the event upon meeting the requirements as specified in the agreement. The deposit may be forfeited in case the member organization does not follow the FOBANA Constitution, By-Laws and guidelines.

Section 5: It is preferred that the member organization have IRS 501 (c) 3 status. In case that they do not have the status, FOBANA shall receive the corporate checks and within 7 days FOBANA Treasurer shall disburse the check to the Host Organization.

Section 6: The member organization must have a sound organizational and adequate financial strength to function effectively.

Section 7: The member organization must submit proof that they are duly registered in their State as active organization/corporation.

Section 8: The member organization must certify that they have duly paid federal and local income taxes and any other required papers are current in their said state.

Article XIV: Host Committee

Section 1: The Host Organization must form a Host Committee for preparation of the convention.

Section 2: The Host Committee must have one Convener, one Member Secretary and one Treasurer.

Section 3: Convener and Member Secretary of the Host Committee shall be included as members of FOBANA EC and attend all meetings during the term of the FOBANA Convention.

Section 4: The Host Committee can have as many co-conveners; assistants, subcommittees or members to carry out their responsibility, however, only the Convener and the Member Secretary will be allowed to act as the liaison between the Executive Committee and the Host Organization.

Section 5: Host Committee shall not create or designate any official position with the title that the leadership in hierarchy holds in the FOBANA EC so it creates any confusion for having two Chairmen in FOBANA Convention or on any publication materials that Host Committee will circulate.

Article XV: Guideline for organizing a FOBANA Convention

Section 1: The Host Organization must follow this guideline while organizing a FOBANA convention.

Section 2: Use of name: The proper name for the organization and the convention must be used. The name of the organization is Federation of Bangladeshi Associations in North America or FOBANA. The name of the convention is North America Bangladesh Convention. FOBANA is also synonymous to the convention. Hence, FOBANA followed by the year of the convention can also be used.

Section 3: Use of logo: FOBANA is a registered trademark; therefore it is necessary to use the correct logo in all communication. The original file is stored under the files section in the FOBANAEC online forum. Host Organization must download the logo from there and use it. No other version of the logo shall be allowed.

Section 4: Orientation Documents: A collection of templates and very useful information are stored in the FOBANAEC online forum under the files section. The Host Organization shall review these files first before creating any new version. If however, a new version is needed to be created for creative reason, the structure and content should be similar.

Section 5: Inclusion of EC names in Communication: The contact information of the Chairperson, Executive Secretary and Treasurer shall be included in every communication and promotional materials that the host organization will produce. This is especially necessary for posters, Television commercials, newspaper advertisement, press releases, fund raising campaign and invitation letters. This will be the only way to prove that the host organization is approved by the Executive Committee.

Section 6: Keeping Executive Committee informed: The Host Organization shall inform the Executive Committee for all media communication. Executive Committee can then be prepared to answer from the media about the organization. All convention related questions will be dealt by the Host Organization.

Section 7: Official Letterhead: The Host Organization shall use the official letterhead template provided by the FOBANA Executive Committee.

Section 8: Joint Meet the Press session: The Host Organization shall organize at least one “Meet The Press” session in New York or any other suitable venue about 2-3 months before the convention. FOBANA Executive Members, Advisors will join at their own expense. The venue, food, a 4’x10’ banner, media packets and other expenses shall be the responsibility of the Host Organization. The Chairperson, Vice Chairperson and the Executive Secretary shall be seated at the head table along with the other executive from the Host Organization. In for any unforeseen reason such session can not be organized, then the Host Organization shall spend the fund allocated for this session in television and newspaper promotion.

Section 9: EC members in the opening ceremony: The Chairperson and the Executive Secretary shall be allowed to give a brief speech at the opening ceremony. The Host Organization shall allocate at least 3 minutes each. The Host Organization may invite additional Executive Members or Advisors at their own discretion.

Section 10: All EC members on stage: Anytime during the 3 day convention the Host Organization shall invite all EC members (including the member organizations) on the stage and introduce them to the audience. This may be a simple introduction by announcing their names, organizations they belong to, or courtesy may be extended to allow few of them to speak. The latter would be at the discretion of the Host Organization.

Section 11: Updates and statues: The Host Organization shall provide periodic status on the progress of the convention to the Executive Committee. These updates can be in the form of e-mail or verbally in the teleconference.

Section 12: Sponsorship Packet: The Host Organization shall send hard copy of sponsorship packets and posters to all member organizations as soon as they are prepared.

Section 13: Convention Requirement: The Host Organization shall provide the following amenities to the Executive Committee during the convention:

a) A meeting room that can hold up to 50 people for all three (3) days of the convention

b) Either serve food or provide food coupons to all Executive Committee members on the day of the FOBANA election

c) Provide specially marked Lanyard for the Executive Members, Advisors and FOBANA Alumni members

Section 14: Executive Committee visit: The Executive Committee members will visit (at their own expense) the host city at least once before the convention at a mutually agreed date and time to witness the progress for the convention. The Host Organization shall provide a meeting room, food and if possible a tour of the venue. The Executive Committee members will meet with the members of the Host Committee and share their experience and wisdom.

Section 15: Selection of Chief Guest: The Host Organization shall not invite any political or religious figure as the Chief Guest. This includes but not limited to any sitting ministers, head of opposition party, head or senior members of any political or religious parties. The Host Organization must select the Chief Guest with consultation with the Executive Committee.

Section 16: Invitation of dignitaries: The Host Committee shall invite the following dignitaries maintaining their official protocol to attend the convention. Providing travel, room and board and other incidental expenses shall be at the discretion of the Host Organization.

a) Ambassador, Government of Bangladesh, Washington DC

b) Consul General, Government of Bangladesh, New York

c) Consul General, Government of Bangladesh, Los Angeles

d) Minister for Information and Cultural Affairs, Government of Bangladesh

e) High Commissioner, Government of Bangladesh, Canada

f) Minister for Commerce, Government of Bangladesh

g) Minister for Education, Government of Bangladesh

h) Minister for Labour & Employment & Expatriate Welfare & Overseas Employment, Government of Bangladesh

i) Minister for Tourism, Government of Bangladesh

j) Senators of the state where the convention will be held

k) Local Congressman of the city where the convention will be held

l) Governor of the state where the convention will be held

m) Mayor of the city or any Elected Officials of the County where the convention will be held

Section 17: Web site: The Host Organization shall use only the website that is provided by the Executive Committee. This website shall be a sub-domain to the main FOBANA website (www.fobanaonline.com). A pre-formatted template shall be provided to the Host Organization as soon as they are selected as per the Web Site Guideline. In return, the Host Committee shall pay a one time fee of $500.00 to the Executive Committee. If the Host Committee decides to purchase any additional domain names, they will have to be pointed to this central location. The address of the website for the convention shall be like: www.fobanaYEAR.fobanaonline.com.

Section 18: In the case when the name of the host organization changes due to any reason, FOBANA Executive Committee shall go by the Registered Charter number, 501 (c) (3) certificate number (if any), number of incorporation or any other indicative number that would prove beyond doubt that the previous member organization is the sole owner of the organization and only the name has changed.

Section 19: In the case of a situation as explained in Section 9 above, the member organization shall appeal to the Executive Committee in writing to change the name on record. The name of the member organization on record shall be changed upon verification of all documents and ownership.

Section 20: The Executive Committee reserves the right refuse a name change if there is a potential dispute. In that case the convention shall be held under the name of the Executive Committee.

Section 21: The Host Committee must make special efforts to promote and give special preference to artists of Bangladeshi origin living in North America.

Article XVI: Election Procedure

Section 1: The Chairperson of the Election Committee shall invite nominations from the members for positions in the Executive Committee approximately two (2) weeks prior to the annual General Body Meeting or as directed by the Executive Committee.

Section 4: Only members duly certified in good standing by the Treasurer shall be nominated for the Election.

Section 5: Prospective candidate for the Chairperson and Vice Chairperson must meet one of the following two conditions:

a) At any time in the past was either a Convener or a Member Secretary of a FOBANA Convention

b) Was a member of the Executive Committee for at least 2 years

Section 6: Members in good standing should submit duly signed nominations in writing to the Election Committee in a sealed envelope marked “Nominations for FOBANA Executive Committee” on the outside of the Envelope.

Section 7: In the General Body meeting, the Chief Election Commissioner shall open the nomination envelopes, verify their membership status, and shall enquire about the willingness of the nominee to serve FOBANA Executive Committee and announce their names for election.

Section 8: Members present in the General Body meeting holding the election of officers, shall have the right to make additional nominations subject to meeting the criteria stated under section 4.

Section 9: The election shall be held by secret ballots under the supervision of the Election Committee.

Section 10: The candidates getting the largest number of votes shall get elected into the office sought by him or her.

Section 11: In case of a tie, a runoff election amongst tied candidates shall be held. The Chief Election Commissioner shall decide the date and time for this runoff election.

Section 12: The decision of the Election Committee shall be considered as final.

Section 13: The Election Committee members shall not be allowed to vote in the election.

Section 14: A spouse of an Election Committee member shall not be allowed to run for the election due to potential conflict of interest unless the Election Committee member excuses him/herself from the committee.

Last Updated (Sunday, 04 March 2012 14:00)