President and NEC elections
Elections are to be held for BECTU's President and three Divisions on the NEC.
BECTU members will be sent ballot papers later in March in the first direct election of the union's President. Two candidates have been nominated by Branches - Tudor Gates and Tony Lennon.
Previously the NEC (National Executive Committee) elected the President from among its elected members. BECTU's Rules were changed at its Annual Conference in May 2001 to provide for the direct election now taking place. Ballots will also be taking place at the same time to elect NEC members representing the BBC, London Production and Regional Production Divisions.
The five BBC candidates competing for four NEC places are Peter Harding, Alastair Hendrie, Tony Lennon, Andy Love and Tony Scott.
There are eight candidates for four NEC places in the London Production Division: Jack Amos, Nick Ardizzone, Peter Cox, Mark Davis, Tudor Gates, Mary Hillman, Rose McDonald and Tim Potter.
In Regional Production there are three candidates for two NEC places: Christine Bond, Edna Hewitson and Lawrence Van Reiss.
Both Presidential candidates are also standing as Divisional NEC candidates, but the rules say they cannot be elected in both capacities. The votes for President will be counted first, and whoever is the successful candidate will allow the runner-up with the highest votes in his divisional election to succeed.
No ballots are needed in the remaining Divisions. There were three candidates, Turlough MacDaid, Peter Martin and Douglas McGill, for three NEC places representing the Arts and Entertainment Division. There was one candidate, Gino Najera, for the single Laboratories NEC place.
In the Independent Broadcasting Division there was one candidate, Robert Scott, nominated. A by-election will take place later this year to fill the second Independent Broadcasting place on the NEC.
All paid-up BECTU members will receive their Presidential ballot papers in the week commencing 18 March 2002.
Members in the BBC, London Production and Regional Production division will also receive ballot papers for their respective Divisional NEC election.
Ballot papers are being prepared and sent out by the independent scrutineer, Electoral Reform Services. Papers have to be returned to ERS by 30 April, and the result will be declared at the close of the BECTU's conference in Manchester on 19 May.