Rules for 2012 Elections to the Board of Society
1. Introduction
1. This document constitutes the 2012 Election Rules, Regulations and Procedure and is drafted in accordance with the existing Constitution of the Bedford Town Independent Supporters Society Ltd now trading as “The B.E.S.T.” The purpose of the 2012 Election Rules Policy is to ensure that the elections for Board of Society members are conducted in a democratic and unbiased manner in accordance with these rules and Constitution. The Board Membership policy is published separately.
2 Definitions
AGM Annual General Meeting
The Society The Bedford Independent Supporters Society Ltd trading as
“The B.E.S.T.”
Returning Officer “Trust in Luton”
BoS The Board of Society of “The B.E.S.T.”
Secretary The Secretary of “The B.E.S.T.”
2. Election Control
1. During the election period the Board will ensure that the election is run in accordance with the election Rules Policy on behalf of The Society’s members.
2. In the event of a tied vote the Chair shall have a casting vote.
3. Members serving on the Board shall be eligible to nominate candidates, vote and stand in the election.
4. Any member standing as a candidate will not be: involved in the collation and publication of candidate manifestos; eligible to vote on matters pertaining to candidate disqualification; or eligible to vote on any other matter which may influence the outcome of the election,
5. The Returning Officer will be an independent individual or body and subject to these Election Rules, and will be involved if more candidates stand in the election than the number of vacancies which exist.
6. The election timetable is included in the Board of Society Membership policy publication.
7. Election details shall also be posted on to the Society’s website at www.bedfordeaglestrust.com.
8. Providing more than 9 candidates stand for election, polling results for the 2012 election will be determined by the Returning Officer in line with a “first past the post” system. Should 9 candidates or less stand, the results will be announced by the Secretary.
9. The BoS will ensure that the election results are announced before the AGM on May 17th 2012.
3. Eligibility and Nomination
1. Candidates must comply with eligibility and nomination procedure as set out in the Board of Society Membership Policy document.
2. It is the candidates responsibility to ensure their nominations are valid and in accordance with the timetable. In the event of uncertainty, the decision of the Board will be final.
3. In signing the Nomination Form, candidates are bound by the Terms and Conditions of the election rules and regulations.
4. A signed letter of nomination is an acceptable substitute for a manuscript signature.
5. Specifically, candidates are also self certifying that they comply with the following two rules of the Constitution:
(a) Rule 58; No candidate can stand if they:
- have been a member of the Board of Society for 12 consecutive years. (after potentially six terms of office)
- Have been declared bankrupt or compounded with their creditors.
- Are subject to a disqualification order made under the Company Directors Disqualification Act;
- Have been convicted of an indictable offence (other than a spent conviction as defined by the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974.)
- Are or may be on the basis of medical evidence suffering from severe mental disorder.
(b) Rule 72;
Save for the exceptions outlined in the Constitution, no BoS member is to have any material financial interest personally or as a member of a firm or company or as a director or any other officer of a business trading for profit or in any other way whatsoever in any contract or other transaction with the Society.
For the purposes of this rule, an interest of a person who is connected with a BoS member shall be treated as an interest of the BoS member.
4. Election Rules
1. During the election the BoS cannot provide advice to any voting members as to the suitability of any candidate on behalf of The Society. Any opinion or advice provided should be taken as provided in a personal capacity.
2. Candidates/complainants have the right of appeal to the BoS, and then through the Complaints procedure detailed in the Society’s Constitution.
3. Complaints after voting has closed shall be made in writing to the BoS not later than three working says after the close of poll.
4. All communication regarding the Election Rules Policy should be addressed to “The Secretary”. via email at gtturvey@yahoo.co.uk or by letter to the Society’s Registered Office at 15 Stonedale Rd, Kempston Beds. MK42 8NE.
5. Should any candidate contravene the election rules the BoS shall judge whether a disqualification shall apply. Notification will be to the Returning Officer or the Secretary to the BoS, whichever is appropriate prior to the election results and subsequently to the elected BoS.
6. The elected BoS will decide what action, if appropriate, may be taken should disqualification occur.
7. Should the election not produce 5 newly-elected BoS members the casual vacancy rules as set out in the Constitution shall apply.
8. All candidates shall leave their contact details with the Secretary.
Manifestos and Campaigning
1. The BoS shall publish a Manifesto Document based on Candidates Manifestos submitted with the Nomination Form.
2. The BoS will be responsible for circulation of the Manifesto Document with the ballot papers
3. On a membership wide basis, campaigning will be restricted to the circulation to all members of the Manifesto Document. No further campaigning material will be circulated to all members. Other than this, personal campaigning is allowable.
4. All candidates can submit an election manifesto of no more than 300 words to the BoS by the close of nominations. The candidates name need not appear in those 300 words. Acronyms, pseudonyms, and slang will be at the discretion of the BoS.
5. If the candidates’ manifesto has more than the permitted 300 words it will be truncated at 300 words and text will be inserted below stating: “ The Candidates’ Manifesto has exceeded the permitted 300 words and has therefore been truncated.” Microsoft Word Count will be used as the calculating method.
6. Candidate manifestos written in the third person will be accepted.
7. Candidates and nominees can only put their real names on nomination papers. No nicknames will be accepted.
8. A candidates manifesto shall not contain the name of any of their nominators or any other
The Bedford Eagles Trust will be holding Elections to the Board of the Society.
The Rules for the 2012 Elections are listed below.
Bedford Eagles Supporters Trust