1. The elections will be organised by the Election Committee ‘(‘EC’) on the initiative of the Vice - Chair of the Steering Group and conducted in accordance with the Election Rules.

Eligibility for nomination

2. Any person nominated as a candidate for the election must be an ordinary member of the BAME Network prior to submission of their completed nomination form. Potential candidates should consult the election timeline for the BAME Network Member eligibility deadline.

3. Any person wishing to stand for the posts of Chair, Vice Chair, Secretary, Treasurer, MUST be an ordinary member of the BAME Network and a registered CILIP Member. Potential candidates should consult the election timeline for the CILIP Member and BAME Member eligibility deadline.

Nominations

4. In order to nominate a candidate for election the nominator must be an ordinary member of the BAME Network. Nominators should consult the election timeline for the BAME Network Member eligibility deadline.

Voting

5. In order to be eligible to vote in the election, voters must be registered as BAME Network members. Eligible voters must have registered in accordance with the election timeline for the BAME Network Member eligibility deadline.

6. Each member of the Network is eligible to cast a vote for each role on the committee (i.e. 9 roles). Each member of the BAME Network will be allowed to cast only one vote per candidate.

7. Eligible members will be advised how to cast their vote on the BAME Network website.

Administration

8. The election information, including the call for nominations will be published on the CILIP website three (3) weeks prior to the elections being held.

9. The composition of the Committee shall be such as (where reasonably possible) to ensure fair and proportionate representation of the membership of the BAME Network.

10. Special elections may be called when more than one office becomes vacant. If three or more offices are vacant at any one time, the special elections must be held as soon as possible, but in any event, within three months from the date when the third office became vacant. The usual Election Rules shall nevertheless apply.

11. In the event that a position has not been filled as a result of the election, the Committee has the option to co-opt an ordinary BAME Network Member to the position, for 1 calendar year. Subject to 9 (above) the Committee will be empowered to temporarily appoint someone to fill a role which has become vacant until an election is held. In any event the election for this temporary appointment should be confirmed within a period of 6 months.

The Election Committee

12. The Election Committee shall normally comprise two [2] members of the Steering Group, who are not intending to stand in the upcoming elections. One member of the Election Committee will normally be the Vice Chair of the (current) Committee (either in the role of Returning Officer or other role– see Committee’s Terms of Reference). In addition, the Network Committee may co-opt a CILIP Official to join the Election Committee and/or to serve as the Returning Officer.
The Election Committee shall enjoy sole powers in all electoral matters and shall deliver a final decision with respect to any appeals or complaint concerning the elections.

13. Election Committee members shall serve for a minimum period of 2 (two) years and a maximum of 3 (three) consecutive terms (up to a total of 6 years).

For more information about the CILIP BAME Network see the terms of reference here.