ETHICAL CODES : DOS AND DONT’S OF THE ELECTIONS

The proposal of the adhoc- Committee on the ethics of election was strictly adhered to by the Committee in the conduct of the e-voting election. The ethics of the election as articulated are:

ELECTION ETHICS: RULES, REGULATIONS AND SANCTIONS

It was observed that some members deployed unethical campaign tactics for elections into council such that some members gang up against others by forming alliances to discredit other contestants.

While it is recognized that subtle campaigns cannot entirely be eliminated, unethical campaign tactics should not be condoned by the Institute.

Such unethical campaign tactics include but are not limited to:

  • Unsolicited text messages sent to members by contestants to Council elections.
  • Defamatory text messages against other contestants ;
  • Visits to District Societies for campaign purposes;
  • Working in groups or alliances to solicit for votes or to discredit other contestants ;
  • Open discussions on elections or soliciting for votes at committees and District Society meetings ;
  • Openly canvassing for votes at the Institute’s functions;
  • Payment of outstanding subscriptions by contestants for other members during the election period.

Every ELIGIBLE MEMBER who is seeking election/re-election is PROHIBITED in that year of election directly from :-

(a)Making any donations to District Societies or Zonal conferences organised by District Societies.

(b)Acting as facilitators or panel discussants or sponsoring any functions or activities organised by the District Societies.

(c)Production and distribution of handbills, calendars, flyers and complimentary cards to individuals or groups during Institute’s function.

(d)Paying visits to District Societies other than their home districts and coordinating District Societies for sitting Council members.

(e)Canvassing for votes at institute’s functions/ or office to office campaigns

(f)Sending text messages and emails to members even during festive periods in the year of election.

(g)Receiving undue reference/recognition at Institute’s functions from the master of ceremony at such functions.

(h)Offering any form of financial inducement including assisting in payment of annual subscription during the year of election.

Electoral Matters Committee may investigate any act or activity which in its opinion could be perceived as patronizing or compromising the ethics, rules and regulations of the election on its merits.

SANCTIONS:

Each of these unethical election tactics will attract severe sanctions which would include:

-Nullification of votes;

-Suspension from future elections for a specified period.

-Even after declaration of results, candidates found liable shall have their elections nullified and the candidate with the next highest vote in that category will be declared the winner and sworn in.

INVESTIGATIONS OF COMPLAINTS AND ALLEGATIONS

Members of the Institute may forward letters of complaints on alleged unethical behaviours of contestants, groups of contestants and their agents to the Electoral Matters Committee which shall carry out the preliminary investigation and refer same to the Institute’s Investigating Panel and the council, if found appropriate.

All investigations should be concluded not later than 2 weeks after the voting exercise is completed.

DEFINITION OF YEAR OF ELECTION

For the current presidential year, the year of election, is defined as February 1, 2011 to the beginning of the 2011 AGM and for subsequent years, it is defined as the end of one AGM to the beginning of the next AGM.