Herewith follows the procedure for the DA Abroad Executive Committee Elections.
The DA Abroad Executive Committee will comprise of the following elected or appointed office bearers:
- The Chairperson of the DA Abroad as elected at the DA Abroad Council;
- The Leader of the DA Abroad, as elected at the DA Abroad Council;
- The Finance Chairperson as elected at the DA Abroad Council;
- The Operations Chair as appointed by the Leader of the DA Abroad;
- An appointed representative from the DA Federal Head Office;
- An appointed representative from the DA Federal Council; and
- The Chairpersons of the Regional Forums.
The following DA Abroad leadership positions are elected at the DA Abroad Council:
- DA Abroad Leader, who is the Chairperson of the DA Abroad Executive Committee;
- DA Abroad Chairperson, who is the Chairperson of the DA Abroad Council;
- DA Abroad Finance Chairperson of the DA Abroad Finance Committee.
The DA Abroad Council must meet at least once every three years.
The DA Abroad Council will comprise of the following elected or appointed office bearers:
- National Organising Chairpersons and their Deputy Chairpersons, Treasurers and Secretaries;
- Country Representatives;
- Members of the DA Abroad Executive Committee;
- An appointed representative from the DA Federal Head Office;
- An appointed representative from the DA Federal Council.
The DA Abroad Council will be chaired by the DA Abroad Chairperson (or his or her designate) as elected at the previous DA Abroad Council.
When the DA Abroad Council is in session it is the highest decision making body superseding the DA Abroad Executive Committee. When in session, the DA Abroad Council takes decisions on all aspects as set out in these Rules including aspects regarding policy, organisation, finance and discipline and in particular determines policy focus on matters subject to the stipulations of the DA Abroad Rules and Federal Constitution and the authority of the Federal Structures.
An ordinary majority of members of the DA Abroad Council constitutes a quorum.
Prior to the DA Abroad Council taking place, an election for the electable office bearers needs to take place.
These elections will be overseen by the:
- Presiding Officer – a person independent of the DA Abroad who is also a member of the DA and familiar with its regulations;
- DA Abroad Elections Fiduciary Oversight and Governance Committee (EFGC) – to provide an external to the DA Abroad verification that the elections are conducted as is required by the DA and by the relevant regulations. This committee will include (a) The Presiding Officer, (b) The Deputy Federal Executive Chairperson and the (c) FHO Fiduciary officer, or their delegates;
- DA Abroad Election Working Committee (EWC) – which serves as the main point of contact and election committee for the elections, who will ensure all of their actions and decisions are verified by the EFGC.
Any member of the DA Abroad, who has been a member for 30 days prior to the election date, is eligible to nominate themselves for any of the DA Abroad Executive Committee electable office bearer positions.
The details (timetables and voting procedures) for DA Abroad Executive Committee elections will be sent to all DA Abroad members two weeks before nominations for electable positions are opened. It is important that the elections are clearly fair and equitable to all candidates.
The DA Abroad will inform all those who are members of the DA Abroad via email that it is accepting nominations for the DA Abroad Executive Committee electable positions, linking to a page on the DA Abroad website (www.da-abroad.org) that outlines the nomination process, and criteria for election, as well as the nomination opening and closing dates.
Candidates will be invited to submit their nomination via an online form.
All nominations for DA Abroad Executive Committee electable positions must be submitted by no later than 23:59 (SAST) on the date of the application deadline.
All nominations must be submitted via the official online form in advance of the advertised deadline for submission and verified as acceptable by the DA Abroad EFGC.
Voting will be by online ballot. These positions will be elected through a process as stipulated by the DA. Names will appear on the ballot paper in random order determined by drawing the first name from a hat, and then the remaining candidates listed in alphabetical order after that. The outcome of these elections will be announced at the DA Abroad Council.
If only one eligible nomination is made for any position, those nominees will be elected to those positions automatically. If no nominations are received for a role, then the DA Abroad Executive Committee may appoint a person for that role.
Only members of the DA Abroad Council may vote in the election of the DA Abroad Executive Committee.
The results of the DA Abroad Executive Committee elections will be announced at the DA Abroad Council.
The elected representatives of the DA Abroad Executive Committee will be required to supply a professional profile photo, and a brief biography of themselves of no more than 300 words to be published on the DA Abroad website.
The elected representatives of the DA Abroad Executive Committee’s details will be published on the DA Abroad website within 48hrs after the nominee has been notified of their election.
DA Abroad Executive Committee Election Schedule
19 May 2016: DA Abroad Executive Committee Election Schedule is distributed to all DA Abroad members
27 May 2016: Nominations open for all electable DA Abroad Executive electable positions (Online only)
2 June 2016, 23:59: Nominations Close
2 – 7 June: Vetting of Nominations
8 – 19 June: Canvassing
20 June 2016: Elections Open (Online only)
22 June 2016, 23:59: Elections Close
23 – 24 June 2016: Election results are determined and ratified
2 July 2016: DA Abroad Executive Committee election results are announced at the DA Abroad Council
4 July 2016: All DA Abroad Executive Committee election results are published