a. This document governs the procedures for National Council elections for the Fiji Institute of Environmental Health.
b. Any reference to “day” or “days” shall refer to business days only and shall exclude statutory Fijian holidays.
c. Any reference to “National Council” shall refer to the President, 3 Vice Presidents,General Secretary, Assistant Secretary/Treasurer and four committee and appointed members.
d. Any reference to “person” or “persons” shall refer to an individual, group of individuals,or corporate entity.
e. Any reference to “institute” shall refer to the Fiji Institute of Environmental Health in accordance with the Allied Health Practitioners Act 2011
a. All institute elections shall be overseen by an impartial Chief Returning Officer.
b. The CRO shall be selected by means of a 2/3 vote by the National Council not less than 7days before the elections.
c. The CRO is responsible for administrating the term end institute elections.
d. The CRO cannot be a candidate in the year end election. If the CRO wishes to run for a position, they must step down as CRO and a replacement needs to be voted in. A current National Council member may fulfill the role of CRO provided they are not running for reelection as a member of the National Council.
Nominations
i. The CRO will notify all voting members of the beginning of the nomination period, the length of the period and the positions available.
ii. The nomination period shall be at least one (1) week in duration.
iii. All nominations must be submitted in writing to the CRO within the designated nomination period. A member may rescind their nomination at any point. Rescinding a nomination is final.
Campaign
i. The CRO will notify the voting members of the nominees and the campaign period.
ii. The campaign period shall be at least three (3) days in duration and must conclude before the institute’s Annual General Meeting.
iii. Candidates may only campaign to institute members. No broadcasted campaigning is permitted.
iv. Candidates may not solicit the support of the current National Council member or the CRO as part of a campaign team or to assist the candidate in any manner.
Voting
i. Voting will be held during the Annual General Meeting on the expiration of one term as
in the institute’s constitution.
ii. Fifteen percent (15%) of the institute’s voting membership is required to vote in order to
make the Election valid.
iii. Each Club member is entitled to one (1) vote in the election of each position.
iv. The voting period shall be a maximum of two (2) hours in length.
v. Only institute members who are classed as voting members in the institute constitutionwill be eligible to vote in the institute elections. This list may be obtained from the Members Register with the General Secretary.
vi. National Council members shall be elected in the following order:
1. President
2. Three Vice Presidents
3. General Secretary
4. Assistant Secretary/Treasurer
5. Four committee and appointed members
vii. The CRO will prepare a ballot for each position listing the candidates’ in alphabetical order by last name.
viii. The CRO will notify the voting members when the voting period is to begin and end.
ix. The CRO, in consultation with the voting members of the institute will review the results of the election not more than 30 minute after the election results are known to ensure a valid vote occurred.
x. The CRO will announce the results to the voting members and the successful candidates before the Annual General Meeting is adjourned.
By-Elections
i. Should a National Council position become vacant over the course of the term or fail to be filled at the institute’s Annual General Meeting, The National Council may elect an interim holder of the position and a by-election shall be held at the earliest convenience.