LTB:Branch Ballots

[POSTMAN]

CWU LTB:

There have been an increasing number of complaints regarding ballots for Branch/Area positions received in the National Organising Department. Whilst ballots and elections now fall under the remit of the SDGS Department branch organisation remains with the National Organising Department and as such so does the responsibility for these complaints.

All the complaints received to date have been dealt with, what is however apparent is the majority of the complaints could have been avoided if the branches had been more stringent with their balloting arrangements. It is recognised that Branch ballots in the main are run totally above board and within the terms of the adopted Branch Model constitutions. It has to be said though that has been numerous instances where branches have left themselves open to complaints from members who did not wish for a certain person to be elected or from members who were not successful in a particular ballot.

With this in mind the NEC have today agreed the following mandatory guidelines which Branches should include when drawing up regulations for ballots. All ballots conducted in future must adhere to these guidelines.

1 Ballots for Branch elections can take place at a Meeting, in the Workplace, or by Post. The actual method to be specified in the Branch Constitution.


2 Where ballots take place in the Workplace, or by Post, Ballot papers should be numbered.


3 Branches should clearly differentiate ballot papers for different elections by for example colour coordination.


4 Tellers must be elected who are not candidates in any election.


5 Branches should set reasonable timetables for elections and should avoid as far as possible any changes to the timetable. Branches should also ensure that the date and the hours specified are clear.


6 Branches should ensure that ballot boxes are placed in a secure place where they could not be tampered with.


7 Candidates should be invited to observe the counting of the vote.


8 Branches should ensure that the data that they are using for a particular ballot is accurate.


9 Branches should retain the ballot papers for a reasonable period of time in case of complaints and I would recommend six months.

10 Branches should ensure that accurate notices for elections are placed in visible locations in all the offices associated with the particular election.

11 Branches can utilise the services of CWU HQ to run Branch Ballots - with consequential changes to these regulations re Tellers and Candidates observing the count.

12 Branches should be made aware that there is no longer a mandatory rule that has to be incorporated into the branch model constitution stating that canvassing is not allowed under national rules, in fact there is no longer a national rule that prohibits canvassing in branch/area elections. While this is a matter for the branches to agree at their Branch meeting they should make clear when agreeing their balloting procedures whether canvassing is allowed or not.