1998-2000 NEC IB by-election

A vacancy on the NEC will be filled by a by-election for which nominations are invited from Branches.

Following the retirement of James McGirr, a vacancy has arisen for one of the two representatives of the Independent Broadcasting division on the National Executive Committee (NEC). Jack McNairn was the only validly nominated candidate in the elections held in March 1998; James McGirr was elected to fill the second place in a by-election in July 1998. A further by-election is now required to fill the vacancy caused by James McGirr's resignation, for the remainder of the 1998-2000 term of office.

BECTU branches with members in the Independent Broadcasting division are invited to submit nominations for candidates in that by-election. The closing date and time for receipt of completed nominations by the office of General Secretary Roger Bolton is 1200 on Friday 17 September 1999.

Requirements of the rules on branches making nominations

Only a branch with members in the Independent Broadcasting division may nominate a candidate [rule 33(h)(i)]. It must duly convene a meeting of branch members to consider the submission of nominations [rule 28(a)(v)]. However, if after due notice of such a meeting has been issued to members a quorum cannot be obtained, the branch committee may submit a nomination in the name of the branch, provided a report of the inquorate meeting accompanies the nomination [rule 33(h)(i)]. All reasonable effort should be made by the branch committee to ensure that the nomination has the support of the branch as a whole.

Requirements of the rules on candidates

A nominated candidate must not have more than eight weeks of subscription arrears, and must be a member of the Independent Broadcasting division [rule 33(e)]. In cases of doubt over a member's division, the NEC has authority to allocate the member to the appropriate division [rule 31(a)]. No candidate may be elected to more than one place on the NEC [rule 33(h)(iv)]. Branches are urged to give particular consideration to nominating women, black and disabled members.

Candidates must give their written consent to being nominated [rule 33(e)]. A declaration to this effect forms part of the nomination form.

Composition and tenure of office of the NEC

The member elected to the NEC in this by-election is eligible to hold office for the remainder of the two-year term of office [rule 33(f)], unless he/she transfers to a division other than the one he/she has been elected to represent, in which case he/she must resign from the NEC [rule 33(e)]. For the 1998-2000 term of office, the NEC comprises two representatives from the Independent Broadcasting division, on the basis of one representative for each 2000 members or part thereof in that division [rule 33(b)]. The membership of each division as at the operative date of 31 December 1997 was certified by me under rule 33(c) as follows:

Division	Divisional membership	NEC places
Arts & Entertainment	6328	4
BBC	6984	4
Independent Broadcasting	2879	2
Laboratories	928	1
London Production	8753	5
Regional Production	3371	2

Persons ineligible to become members of the NEC

The rules prevent the following being members of the NEC: employees of BECTU [rule 33(d)]; members of the Disciplinary Committee [rule 25(c)]; members of the Appeals Committee [rule 26(b)]; members of the Standing Orders Committee [rule 42(a)]; the Trustees of the union [rule 3(b)]; members more than eight weeks in arrears with their subscriptions [rule 33(e)]; members whose membership is lodged [rule 14(b)]; retired members [rule 18(b)]; life members [rule 19(b)]; honorary members other than those who have been made honorary members whilst being full members of the union [rule 20].

Election addresses

Each candidate is entitled to submit a written election address of note more than 600 words [rule 33(h)(ii)]. Nothing other than the written word may be included in the address (i.e. photographs or graphics will not be accepted). Addresses will be typeset but will not be editorially altered. Legal liability for the content of an election address rests solely with the candidate concerned. Addresses must be received by the office of General Secretary Roger Bolton not later than the closing date for receipt of nominations, i.e. 1200 on Friday 17 September 1999 [rule 33(h)(ii)]. Candidates are responsible for ensuring that their election addresses have been received in time.

Closing date and validity

Branches and candidates must note that the closing date and time for receipt of completed nomination forms and any election addresses by the office of General Secretary Roger Bolton is 1200 on Friday 17 September 1999. Forms or addresses received after this time will be invalid. Where a candidate has been nominated by more than one branch, only one nomination form containing a completed declaration by the candidate (that he/she accepts nomination) is necessary. However, candidates are advised to make sure that at least one completed declaration has been received. Faxes will be accepted subject to their legibility on receipt, but the closing date and time will be strictly adhered to. E-mails and other formats not capable of carrying a verifiable signature will not be accepted, unless the nominating branch officer or the candidate has a disability which renders this restriction unfair.

Ballot (if necessary)

If this by-election is uncontested (i.e. there is only one valid nomination as at the closing date and time), the elected representative will be expected to take his/her seat at the meeting of the NEC scheduled for Sunday 26 September 1999. Where the number of nominations exceeds the number of vacant NEC places available (i.e. there is more than one valid nomination), a fully postal ballot of paid-up members in the Independent Broadcasting division will be held. The successful candidate will be the one for whom the highest number of valid votes have been cast. The ballot will be conducted by the appointed independent scrutineers [rule 33(h)(iii)], who are

Electoral Reform Balloting Services Ltd
Independence House
33 Clarendon Road
London
N8 0NW

who will issue, receive and count the ballot papers. Ballot papers will be sent to the last address notified to the union by the member [rule 7(d)]. If any member is in doubt as to whether the head office records department has his/her correct address, the member must be advised to contact that department without delay.

If a ballot requires to be held in the Independent Broadcasting division, it will open in the week commencing Monday 27 September 1999 and close 1200 on Friday 29 October 1999, the result being published verbatim to branches as soon as possible thereafter. The successful candidate will be expected to take his/her seat at the NEC meeting scheduled for Sunday 7 November 1999.