Theos-Talk Archives (July 2008 Message tt00071)

(Below is the text of the message which Mary Anderson, International
Secretary of the TS (Adyar), sent out today to all General
Secretaries, Regional and Organizing Secretaries, Presidential
Representatives and Presidents of Lodges attached to Adyar. PO)


"Communications from the French and other Sections and a Lodge to
their members	

The Executive Committee members are of the view that the National
Board of the French Section in issuing their communication dated 29
March 2008 to their members had acted wrongly and illegally. The
official body should not have taken a position on the merits or
demerits of candidates. The National Board of the French Section had
violated Appendix B of the Rules which states that, apart from the
voting papers together with the nominators' names and candidates'
biographical data, `other material concerning the candidates shall not
be circulated'. Rule 10(e) specifies that the votes should be taken in
accordance with the instructions in Appendix B.

Furthermore, the communication of the French Section contained
incorrect and misleading information concerning the health and
functioning of one of the candidates, namely Mrs Radha Burnier.

The Election Committee enclosed with its letter of 18 April 2008
medical certificates regarding Mrs Burnier's health and asked the
National Board of the French Section to take immediate action to
counteract the impression created in its letter of 29 March 2008. The
National Board of the French Section had refused to do so and had
justified its stand.

The Executive Committee was of the view that the action of the
National Board of the French Section had cast a cloud on this election
and that such action amounts to election malpractice.

The Executive Committee also noted that there were communications in
other Sections and a Lodge, notably the USA, Brazil and Singapore,
where officers signing or writing in their official capacity had
indicated preferences for one of the candidates.

The Executive Committee was of the view that action could be taken to
countermand the votes from the Sections/Lodge mentioned above and to
direct repolling after suitable clarification had been sent to their
members. However, in the larger interest of the Society and taking all
considerations into account, including the views expressed in the
meeting of 14 June 2008, the Executive Committee decided by consensus
not to countermand the votes of the members of any Sections or Lodges.
The results of the election can thus be declared on 1 July 2008.

The Executive Committee further resolved to submit a motion to the
General Council under Rule 10 to make suitable Rules and Regulations
for the proper conduct of elections, including the prohibition of
canvassing by official bodies and the procedure for countermanding
votes in cases of violation of election rules and procedure.

Executive Committee, TS"