Frequently Asked Questions

Ref: Conf/13/03

In accordance with Clause 20.1 of the constitution, formal notice was given on 5 June 2003, ref Conf/9/03 inviting members of the World Federation to send in written nominations for a candidate for the office of the President of the World Federation for the term 2003 - 2006. We have produced below answers to frequently asked questions on this topic to facilitate understanding of the procedure for nomination and election of the President.

Q: Who are members of The World Federation?
A: 4 Federations and 27 Individual Jamaats are members of the World Federation. The 4 Federations are: Africa Federation, Council of Gujarat, Kutch Federation and NASIMCO.

Q: How many individuals do these 31 members represent?
A: At the time of issuing this circular, they represent a total of 108,195 individuals round the world. (This number may change as members send in their current numbers)

Q: Who has the right to Stand for the Office of The President?
A: Any individual member of any Jamaat, which is a member (directly or indirectly) of The World Federation, has the right to stand for the Office. He must however be nominated by an organisation which is a member of The World Federation.

Q: Does The President have to be resident in UK?
A: No. There is no such requirement by the Constitution nor by the Charity Commissioners.

Q: What should members do regarding elections?
A: All members should organise an election amongst its membership and to submit to the Secretariat (for the attention of Returning Officers) by 12 September 2003, the exact number of votes cast by their bonafide registered members, giving a breakdown of the exact number of votes cast in respect of each candidate.

Q: Who has the right to vote for The President?
A: Each and every bonafide registered member of Jamaats all over the world, whether the Jamaat is a direct member of the World Federation or is represented through a Regional Federation has the right to vote for the President.
• Each bonafide registered member of the Jamaat who is entitled to vote and votes is counted as one vote.
• In Jamaats where ladies normally vote as bonafide registered members, should also vote.
• Minors and those young adults who are not normally allowed to vote in Jamaat’s elections should not vote.
• The voting process will be determined by each Jamaat. This means that each Jamaat would reasonably be expected to apply their normal voting process.

Q: How is the successful candidate selected?
A: Conceptually, the President is a leader elected by popular votes of the membership. Each vote cast by bonafide-registered member is counted. Each member organisation conducts its own election. The number of votes cast for each candidate are sent to the returning officers at the Secretariat of the World Federation.

The candidate who receives the highest number of votes from all the votes cast is declared President of The World Federation for the term 2003 to 2006.

Q: What are important dates for the election?
A: 12 September 2003. By this date, each member organisation must submit its votes to the Secretariat (for the attention of Returning Officers).

The returning officers who are appointed by the Executive Council will count the votes and declare the candidate with the largest number of votes as the duly elected President of the World Federation for the term 2003 – 2006.

The Secretariat will issue a circular declaring the President for the term 2003 – 2006.

Q: What does the Constitution say?
A: Clause 20 of the constitution is regarding the President. The full clause is being reproduced herewith.

20       The President

20.1    Election of President

The President of the Federation shall be elected for a term of three years by the members of the Federation in accordance with the following provisions:

20.1.1   At least three months before the end of the term of office of
            the President, the Secretary General shall issue a notice to
            all members inviting written nominations within thirty (30) days
            of such notice for a candidate for the office of the next term
            of three years.
20.1.2   Such nominations shall be accompanied by a written
            communication from the person nominated signifying his consent
            to such nomination.

20.2    Notice of Nominations
The Secretary General shall within a period of seven (7) days after the closing date for the submission of the nominations, send to members all such nominations received by him in response to the notice and ask all members to vote on the nominations.  Each member shall submit its votes to the Secretariat by post at least 30 days before the end of the term of office of the President.

20.3    Counting of Votes
The Executive Council of the Federation shall appoint a sub committee composed of at least two Executive Councillors to act as returning officers.  They will count the votes and declare the candidate with the largest number of votes as the duly elected President of the Federation.

20.4    In the case of

20.4.1  the duly elected President dying before the Conference;
           or
20.4.2  two or more candidates receiving equal number of votes;
           or
20.4.3  no suitable nominations having been received for the office of the
           President by theduedate; the Conference shall first convert into
           Extraordinary Conference for the purpose of electing the President
           from among the delegates present, or from the of candidates with
           equal number of votes, whichever the case maybe. 
           The Extraordinary Conference will then revert to Ordinary
           Conference for transacting its business on the Agenda names .
 
20.5    Voting Rights

20.5.1  For the purpose of election of the President by postal votes,
           each member of the Federation shall be entitled to one vote for 
           every individual head within each member. 
           However, no individual member shall be entitled to more than
           7000 votes and no regional member shall be entitled to more
           than 20,000 votes.
20.5.2  Submission of Votes
           When there is more than one candidate for the Office of
           the President, the members of  the Federation shall submit to
           the Secretariat the exact number of votes cast by their
           individual heads in respect of each candidate.  A candidate
           receiving the largest aggregate of votes from member
           jamaats shall be declared successful.

20.6    Representatives of the Federation
The President of the Federation shall have the right to appoint any office-bearer to represent the Federation at any occasion, meeting or celebration as he deems fit, provided that if an office-bearer is unable to represent the Federation, then the President shall appoint the Executive Councillor residing in the proximity of the area to represent the Federation.

20.7   Religious Obligations
In responsibilities delegated by a Marja, the President in conjunction with the Executive Council shall have the power to act on behalf of the Federation to fulfil the religious obligation.  However, in financial matters such as receipt and disbursements of Khums and other religious dues the normal financial rules of the Federation shall apply.

20.8    Vacancy of President
If the Office of the President becomes vacant as a result of resignation, incapacity, death or otherwise the Vice President shall assume the office of the President for the remaining period of his term of office.

Wassalam

Secretariat
12 August 2003