Legal Commission president Hannu Kananen presenting key proposals to the FIVB Congress as a record number of 205 national federations were in attendance on the second day of the FIVB Congress
A record number of 205 national federations were in attendance on the second day of the FIVB Congress, beating the previous best mark of 201 set on the first day of the Congress and 196 set in Tokyo, Japan in 2006.
The Rules of Procedure covers the complete electoral process, which will be used in Friday’s election of a new FIVB President. The approved content is listed as per the following:
ADVISORY ELECTORAL COMMITTEE
5.1.1 Appointment
At least six (6) months prior to the elective Congress, the FIVB Executive Committe shall appoint an Advisory Electoral Committee consisting of six (6) members as follows:
a) the FIVB President, as President;
b) the five (5) Confederation Presidents, as members.
Members of the Advisory Electoral Committee cannot be candidates for election as FIVB President or as gender-in-minority members of the Board of Administration. As soon as a member has already filed with the FIVB (or later files) his/her candidature, he is automatically substituted in accordance with the principles set out in Article 2.6.1.2 of the FIVB Constitution. The substitution of the FIVB President (if required) shall take place first and shall be followed by the substitution of one or more of the Confederation Presidents (if required).
5.1.2 Observers
Each candidate may appoint one (1) representative as an observer of the Advisory Electoral Committee’s workings during the Congress. Such observer shall have full access to the Congress venue.
5.1.3 Duties
The Advisory Electoral Committee shall be assisted by a member of the FIVB Secretariat that is appointed by the FIVB Executive Committee, and it shall have the following duties:
Prior to the Congress:
a) To review the candidatures, as received by the FIVB Secretariat, and submit its recommendation to the Board of Administration regarding the eligibility of the candidates;
b) To distribute to all NFs, through the FIVB Secretariat, the list of eligible candidates for FIVB President (in alphabetical order) at least thirty (30) days prior to the opening of the Congress;
c) To distribute to all NFs, through the FIVB Secretariat, the list of eligible candidates for the gender-in-minority positions of the FIVB Board of Administration at least thirty (30) days prior to the opening of the Congress;
d) To make all necessary preparations for the elections’ procedure, if there is more than one candidate.
During the Congress:
a) If the number of candidates corresponds to the positions to be filled, to announce to the Congress, that the election can be made by acclamation (Art. 2.3.6.2.1.c);
b) If the number of candidates is higher than the positions to be filled, to supervise the work of the scrutineers and decide on any disputes arising during the voting or election process in accordance with the Rules of Procedure of the FIVB Congress and the FIVB Constitution;
To confirm the results of the elections or of each round of the elections and notify the Secretary of the Congress of those results
Congress Decisions
10.1 APPROVAL OF PROPOSALS
10.1.1 Simple majority
Proposals are approved by simple majority of the votes cast by rising of hands, except for the items stated in Article 10.1.2 and 10.1.3. Abstentions and blank or invalid votes are not taken into consideration in the calculation of the required majority.
10.1.2 Two-thirds (2/3) majority
A two-thirds (2/3) majority of the accredited NFs with a right to vote in the Congress is required to approve the following proposals:
a) to open a debate on items not included in the agenda;
b) amendments to the FIVB Constitution;
c) to limit the debate on a specific point or close the debate and refer a matter to the vote; and
d) expulsion of an affiliated NF, on condition that the actual quorum is reached as per the FIVB Constitution.
10.1.3 Three-quarters (3/4) majority to dissolve the FIVB
A three-quarters (3/4) majority of the accredited NFs with a right to vote in the Congress is required to approve the dissolution of the FIVB, during an Extraordinary Congress at which eighty per cent (80%) of the affiliated NFs are accredited. Voting is held by secret ballot.
10.1.4 Voting by roll-call
Voting may be held by roll-call either when so decided by the President or at the request of the delegate of an affiliated NF supported by the delegates of five (5) other present or represented NFs. The roll-call starts with a letter drawn from the English alphabetical order.
10.1.5 Freedom to vote
Voting is not compulsory.
10.2 SUBMITTING TO A VOTE
10.2.1 Preparation
Before a proposal is voted on, the President of the Congress allows it to be read and informs the Congress of the way the vote will be taken and the majority required for the approval of the motion. In case of amendments to the Constitution and upon request of the delegate of an accredited NF with a right to vote, separate voting may be held for one or more proposed amendments.
10.2.2 Electronic voting
The FIVB Board of Administration may decide to use an electronic voting system at the Congress to be used by the NFs present or represented by proxy in the Congress. The system shall be certified by an independent company and shall securely and immediately tally the votes. Electronic voting cannot be used for elections.
10.3 CASTING OF VOTES
10.3.1 Number of votes
Each NF has one (1) vote. In case a NF represents another NF by proxy, its delegate(s) may vote once for his/their NF and once for the NF represented by proxy, in connection with the same matter.
10.3.2 Motion during voting
During voting, the floor is not given to any delegate. However, the Congress President may present a motion of order.
10.4 RESULTS OF VOTING
Votes are counted by the scrutineers. The result is announced by the Secretary of the Congress
10.5 ENTRY INTO FORCE OF CONGRESS DECISIONS
Unless decided otherwise by the Congress, the decisions of the Congress enter into force three (3) months after the closing of the Congress.
Elections
11.2 ELECTION PROCESS
11.2.1 Announcement of the list of candidates
The candidates, listed in alphabetical order regardless of their gender, will be announced to the NFs in advance.
11.2.2 Distribution of ballots
The Congress delegates will be provided with a ballot paper listing all candidates in alphabetical order regardless of their gender. Ballots are verified by the scrutineers.
11.2.3 Number of ballots
The Congress President notifies the Congress of the number of distributed ballots. The election is valid when the collected ballots are numerically equal or fewer than those distributed.
When the number of ballots collected is greater than that of the ballots distributed, the election is deemed invalid and shall be repeated.
11.2.4 Voting
For the election of the President, the Congress delegates vote for the candidate of their choice by marking an “X” in the box beside the candidate’s name.
For the election of the two (2) gender-in-minority members of the Board of Administration, the Congress delegates can vote up to two (2) candidates of their choice by marking an “X” in the box beside each candidate’s name.
11.2.5 Protocol
The results of the election shall be recorded in writing by the scrutineers in an election protocol, which shall be signed by the scrutineers and confirmed by the Advisory Electoral Committee.
11.2.6 Announcement of the results
The Secretary of the Congress announces the results of each election as well as of each voting round, if applicable.
11.2.7 Custody and destruction of ballots
Scrutineers shall have the custody of ballots in accordance with this paragraph. After the ballots have been counted and the results of the election have been notified to the Congress, the scrutineers shall immediately put aside the ballots so that they cannot be used again for the next vote(s).
At the end of all election procedures, ballots must be delivered in a sealed container to a member of the FIVB Secretariat appointed by the Congress Bureau. Ballots must be kept at the FIVB headquarters for a period of at least ninety (90) days after the vote in one or more sealed containers.
11.3 ELECTION SYSTEM
11.3.1 Election of the President
(a) First round
The candidate that receives more than fifty per cent (50%) of the votes cast is elected at the first round. Abstentions, blank or invalid votes are not taken into consideration for the calculation of the required majority.
(b) Second round
If no candidate is elected at the first round, all candidates except for the two (2) receiving the most votes are eliminated.
A second round between these two (2) candidates shall take place, at which the candidate receiving the highest number of votes is elected.
11.3.2 Election of the two (2) gender-in-minority members of the Board of administration
(a) First round
The two candidates that receive the highest number of votes and more than fifty per cent (50%) of the votes cast are elected in the first round. Abstentions, blank or invalid votes are not taken into consideration for the calculation of the required majority.
(b) Second round
If no candidate is elected at the first round, all candidates except for the three (3) receiving the most votes are eliminated. A second round between these three (3) candidates shall take place, at which the two (2) candidates receiving the highest number of votes are elected.
If only one candidate is elected at the first round, all other candidates except for the two (2) receiving the most votes are eliminated. A second round between these two (2) candidates shall take place, at which the candidate receiving the highest number of votes is elected.
11.3.3 Tie
If the position(s) cannot be filled or a new round initiated as per the above provisions because two or more candidates received the same number of votes, the Congress will take a separate vote between these candidates. The candidate with the highest number of votes will be elected or proceed to the next round of elections, as applicable. This procedure may be applied more than once if the tie persists.
The Rules of the Procedure of the Congress can be amended only by the Congress
The third and final day of the FIVB Congress will take place on Friday, which will be highlighted by the election of a new FIVB President.
