1.0 CREDIT UNION ELECTION
a. The election is a formal decision-making process by which credit union leaders are chosen by the members to hold positions in the Society.
b. The Election guidelines describe the processes of introducing fair electoral systems and improving the fairness or effectiveness of existing credit union governance systems.
2.0 PURPOSE
a. The purpose of this Guideline is to conduct free and fair elections and also assure the members right, as guaranteed by the credit union Bye-laws in accordance with the Co- operative Decree 1968, NLCD 252.
b. To that end, the full exercise of that right demands that the members be afforded the means to nominate candidates and cast ballots to elect whomever they so choose.
3.0 CATEGORIES OF CREDIT UNION ELECTED COMMITTEES
a. Board of Directors
b. Supervisory Committee
c. Loans Committee
4.0 ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA TO BE ON THE BOARD AND COMMITTEE
a. The applicant must be prepared for the position which is likely to significantly influence or to have had a significant impact on the growth of the credit union.
b. The applicant must be a member whose shares is at least the minimum Shares set by the credit union for Board and Committee members (Board members GHȻ 2,000.00, Committee members GHȻ 1,000.00).
c. Might have been a member for more than five (5) years in the credit union.
d. Must be age 21 or above, of sound mind and of good character with no criminal records.
e. Must be abreast with the concept and operations of the credit union.
f. Must be regular saver and his/her savings should be at least GHȻ 1,000.00 for Board members and GHȻ 600 for Committee members.
g. The applicant’s loan should not be delinquent and the loan granted must not be against the Loan Policy of the credit union.
h. Members applying to be Board of Directors must have fair knowledge in the management of a business.
i. Members nominated or applying to serve on the Supervisory Committee must have fair knowledge in accounting or finance.
j. Must not be an employee of the Credit Union or an immediate family member of an employee who is a key management person of the Credit Union.
k. Must not be an owner, partner, employee or director of any business or organization that is in the same or similar business as or in competition with the Credit Union.
l. Must be attending the Annual General Meetings of the credit union on regular basis (At least 3 out of the last 5 AGMs).
m. A person who has a criminal record shall not be eligible for election to any of the Committees of the Credit Union.
n. Should be leading an exemplary life style.
5.0 NOMINATIONS
a. Interested members can pick a Nomination Form themselves when the process is published.
b. Nomination of candidates can also be done by ONLY members of the Credit Union in good standing.
6.0 DISQUALIFICATION
Applicant shall be disqualified from any further evaluation or vetting establishing the following reasons;
a. Late submission of the Nomination Forms.
b. Gross misconduct before, during and after the election.
c. Misrepresentations
d. Dishonesty
e. Unethical behavior
f. Less than 4 years to go on retirement
g. Without the required shares or savings
7.0 APPEAL AGAINST DISQUALIFICATION
a. Any applicant who feel dissatisfied with the process or result of the Election shall have the right to appeal to the CUA General Manager
b. The decision of the CUA General Manager on the matter shall be communicated to the credit union.
c. If the decision of the CUA General Manager is still not satisfactory to the complainant(s), the complainant(s) shall make an appeal to the Registrar of Co-operatives and his/her decision shall be final.
8.0 ELECTION OF COMMITTEE MEMBERS AND BOARD OF DIRECTORS
a. The members of the Committees or Board shall be elected by the members.
b. If the vetted applicants are less or equal to the number of offices to be filled for a particular Committee of the Credit Union, the validated applicants shall be declared elected through an acclamation at the General Meeting.
c. Vacancies occurring during the year shall be filled by the Board of Directors.
9.0 TERM OF OFFICE
a. Elected member shall serve for a four year term of office and shall be eligible for re-election, provided the member shall not have served for a maximum of two consecutive terms of four years each.
b. After serving for a total of eight (8) years made up of two terms of four years each, a committee member shall not be eligible for election unless after a break of a term.
c. No individual member shall be allowed to contest for any elected office, if such individual or person has just finished serving on a similar elected office without a break of a term.
10.0 VOTING AT THE GENERAL MEETING
a. The minimum voting age shall be 18 years.
b. Only members in good standing will be eligible to vote.
c. Each member shall have one vote.
d. Voting may be by ballot.
e. A member must be present to vote.
f. Counting of votes and declaration of result shall be done as soon as Members finish casting their votes.
11.0 ELECTION OF OFFICERS
a. The Officers shall be elected by the various Committees from among its own members.
b. Officers need not be present to be elected.
12.0 SHARES OF BOARD OF DIRECTORS AND COMMITTEES
All Board of Directors and Committee Members shall be required to have the minimum Shares set by the credit union for its Board and Committee members from time to time.