PREAMBLE
Labour is the source of all wealth, and should therefore determine and shape economic, political, and social life. It can do so only when workers are organised at every site of exploitation and oppression, and is united to eliminate it. We are dedicated to make this happen.
The strength of the working class movement is built on solidarity, respect and the presence of democratic ethos amongst workers, their organisations and on its concern for the well being of all humanity. In the context of political and organisational fragmentation, this means, for us, unity of the trade union movement on the basis of independence from government, employers and political parties. The NTUI is built on this core principle of unity and is committed to expanding co-operative and federal relationships towards uniting the labour movement on democratic principles.
The NTUI shall become the voice and inspiration of working women and men, of the oppressed and the discriminated, and of physical and intellectual labour. We shall act, decisively and militantly, at all times and on all occasions, to protect and expand their interests.
We are together in solidarity to transform society and the state with the democratic and humane aspirations of the labour movement and to build a classless society.
Chapter I: NAME and FLAG
Article 1.1: The federation shall be known as the New Trade Union Initiative (to be designated in abbreviation as the NTUI).
Article 1.2: The flag of the federation shall be a red flag of which the length shall be one and a half times its width. On the right, shall be the symbol of the NTUI with its width being one-third the length of the flag and its height being the width of the flag. The symbol is as under:
Article 2: The central office of the Federation shall be in Delhi.
Chapter II: AIMS and OBJECTS
Article 3.1: to preserve and develop unions as centres of resistance against capital and as democratic self-organising institutions of workers.
Article 3.2: to struggle against all forms of economic exploitation, caste, gender, ethnic , regional, religious and other social discrimination and oppression.
Article 3.3: to recognise the principle of class struggle for achieving higher standards of living for working people and the emancipation of society from all exploitation.
Article 3.4: to view collective bargaining as an institutional form defined, sustained and expanded by the spread and depth of class struggle within the country and internationally.
Article 3.5: to recognise women’s work, both paid and unpaid, in the economy and the family.
Article 3.6: to promote fraternity, solidarity, and unity among diverse sections of working people of all countries on the basis of equality and the self-respect of nations and peoples.
Article 3.7: to oppose aggression, promote peaceful coexistence between countries, and eliminate nuclear weapons and other weapons of mass destruction.
Article 3.8: to struggle for economic development that fulfils the needs and aspirations of working people guided by a policy framework of planning, of an expanding public sector and effective workers’ participation at all levels of the economy.
Article 3.9: to secure living wages, full employment, right to work, right to livelihood, social security and civic needs for all working people.
Article 3.10: to build a democratic trade union movement through the education of members: one that contributes to effective participation in and control of unions by members and to developing fraternal relationships between unions and federations.
Article 3.11: to universalise the principle of the secret ballot for the recognition of a representative union of workers, irrespective of their nature of employment contract, in a workplace.
Article 3.12: to encourage and enable the participation of labour in the political life of the local, state, national and international community and the exercising of their rights and responsibilities as citizens to deepen and broaden the democratisation of state and society.
Article 3.13: to enhance the participation of women in unions and in leadership positions to enable unions to become instruments for shaping the lives of women and men at work, in the family and in society.
Article 3.14: to affiliate unions and federations and to affiliate to international unions and federations.
Article 3.15: to promote the organisational unity of all workers on an industrial basis and to pursue a policy of a single, democratic union in a workplace and one federation in an industry, independent of governments, employers and political parties.
Article 3.16: to ensure the autonomy of each affiliated union and its right to a political viewpoint.
Article 3.17: to preserve and promote the ideals of co-operation, to democratise the functioning of co-operatives, and to develop the co-operative sector in the economy.
Article 3.18: to secure legislation, policies and practices to actualise all accepted progressive human and labour rights, eliminate authoritarian and feudal institutions, practices and values and promote labour rights including recognition of all forms of manual work, democratic values, the dignity of labour and equality at the workplace and in society.
Article 3.19: to encourage, enable and assist affiliated unions to secure immediate interest and rights at the workplace and in industry through collective bargaining and extend this to all sections of the working class.
Article 3.20: to promote educational, research, cultural, media and communication institutions of the labour movement for the cultural and knowledge development of working people and to build general will in support of the interests, beliefs and values of the labour movement.
Article 3.21: to promote the organisation of unorganised labour on the basis of the unity of interest at the industrial or sectoral level.
Article 3.22: to build solidarity among working people based on the commonality of interest and tolerance for all beliefs and faiths and strive for ideals of secularism.
Article 3.23: to associate with non-union organisations that share the broad aims and objectives of NTUI and contribute effectively to unionisation, collective bargaining, and campaigns.
Article 3.24: to recognise the pervasiveness of sexual harassment of women and its adverse impact on the lives of women affected by it as persons, as workers, as union members and leaders at home, at work and in the workplace, and in society, to do all that is necessary to prevent sexual harassment of women at workplace and within the organisation to ensure an environment that is non-discriminatory and non-hostile and to protect women who are subject to sexual harassment.
Article 3.25: to recognise that the increase in insecure and unsafe working conditions for majority of workers along with creating differences between different sections of workers and to strive for safe and secure workplaces by forging unity between different sections of workers.
Chapter III: MEMBERSHIP
Membership of Affiliates
Article 4.1: The NTUI may affiliate to itself any trade union, registered or if in existence for at least one year.
Article 4.2: The trade union seeking affiliation shall make an application to the General Secretary of the NTUI, in accordance with rules decided by the General Council.
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Article 4.3: The Executive Council, on receiving the applications for the affiliation of a union, shall consult the State and Industrial Councils, in whose jurisdiction the functioning of the union lies.
Article 4.4: The Executive Council shall have the power to authorise the President and/or General Secretary to issue a certificate of affiliation to the applicant union on receipt of their affiliation fee.
Article 4.5: The General Council on the recommendation of the Executive Council, shall have the right to suspend the affiliation of a union on any of the following grounds:
4.5.1 non-payment of affiliation dues for 2 consecutive years;
4.5.2 working in a concerted manner against the decisions and interests of the General Council;
4.5.3 indulging in activities and practices in gross violation of the aims and objectives of the NTUI and the general interest of the labour movement;
provided no such recommendation shall be made by the Executive Council without specific charges communicated in writing to the concerned union and allowing at least one month to it to reply to the charges.
Article 4.6: The Executive Council may restore the certificate of affiliation to a union if it is suspended on grounds of non-payment of affiliation dues, on receipt of payment of such outstanding dues.
Article 4.7: The certificate of affiliation may be restored either by the Executive Council by a unanimous decision or by a two-thirds majority vote of the General Council on appeal by the union and on review of its conduct being appropriate as an NTUI affiliate.
Article 4.8: The certificate of affiliation of a union can only be cancelled by a two-third majority of the General Assembly.
Article 4.9: On the suspension of the certificate of affiliation of a union, the union and its office-bearers shall cease to have voting rights in the NTUI and cannot represent or communicate on behalf of the NTUI at any forum.
Affiliation Fee
Article 5.1: Each affiliated union shall pay the NTUI an annual affiliation fee
(a) of Rs. 2.50 per member per annum subject to a minimum of Rs. 2500, if the average salary/ wage of the union member is less than Rs.5000 per month; or
(b) of Rs. 5.00 per member per annum subject to a minimum of Rs. 5000, if the average salary/ wage of the union member is Rs.5000 or more per month.
Article 5.2: The decision of the Executive Council on the affiliation fee of affiliated unions shall be final and may be reviewed only by the General Council on appeal by the concerned union after having paid the required affiliation fee.
Article 5.3: The General Assembly and the General Council may impose any other levy by a two-third-majority vote of the Council.
Associates
Article 6.1: Any membership based organisation or alliance of working people, other than trade unions, which supports and complements the working class movement and subscribes to the general aims and policies of the NTUI, may become an associate of the NTUI.
Article 6.2: The Executive Council, after consultation with such organisations or alliances, shall make recommendations to the General Council, to make it an associate of the NTUI.
Article 6.3: The General Council, on the recommendation of the Executive Council shall have the power to authorise the President and/or General Secretary to issue a certificate of association.
Article 6.4: Representatives of the associates shall have the right to participate in all the affairs of the NTUI, except for voting rights in the election of office bearers and other members of the Executive Council.
Chapter IV: ORGANISATIONAL STRUCTURE
The NTUI shall consist of
1. Affiliate unions
2. Associate organisations
3. Delegates of the Quadrennial General Assembly
4. General Council
5. Executive Council
6. Secretariat
7. Forums
8. State Councils and other State Bodies
9. Industrial Councils
General Assembly
Article 7.1: The General Assembly shall be the supreme body of the NTUI and all its decisions shall be by a majority vote, except if otherwise provided in the constitution.
Article 7.2: All affiliated unions shall be represented at the General Assembly by a minimum of one elected delegate and more on the basis of one elected representative for every 500 members or part thereof exceeding 200 members.
Article 7.3: The associates shall be represented ordinarily by one delegate in the General Assembly provided that such delegates do not exceed ten percent of the total delegates in the General Assembly.
Article 7.4: The Executive Council shall have the right to nominate the delegates representing the associates in consultation with all associates if the number of such representatives is more than 10 percent of the total delegates at the General Assembly.
Article 7.5: The regular General Assembly shall be held every four years beginning from 2009. The time and place of holding the Assembly shall be decided by the Executive Council and informed to all affiliated unions and associates through at least a 90-day notice.
Article 7.6: The affiliated unions shall elect delegates for the General Assembly at least 30 days prior to the General Assembly and submit the names of the delegates to the Secretariat.
Article 7.7: The affiliated unions shall be entitled to representation only on receipt of certificates of affiliation and payment of all dues 30 days prior to the General Assembly, except where it is decided otherwise by the Executive Council and so informed with the notice of convening the General Assembly.
Article 7.8: The Executive Council shall call for resolutions, amendments to the constitution, reports or any other proposals from affiliated unions and associates for the General Assembly and shall proceed to consider them or put them forward for consideration to such committees as may be constituted to conduct the affairs of the General Assembly and shall report on them to the General Assembly.
Article 7.9: All resolutions, amendments to the constitution, reports or any proposals for the consideration of the General Assembly shall be submitted to the Secretariat 30 days prior to the General Assembly for consideration by the General Assembly, except that where the Executive Council may consider it necessary, it may receive it up to the day prior to the General Assembly.
Article 7.10: All resolutions, amendments to the constitution, reports and any other proposals shall be proposed to the General Assembly only by the decision of the Executive Council except where more than twenty-five per cent of delegates in the General Assembly make a signed proposal to the Executive Council for consideration by the General Assembly, then the Executive Council shall be bound to put it forward for consideration by General Assembly.
Article 7.11: All delegates shall have the liberty to form alliances or coalitions in the General Assembly for supporting any proposal or policy or panel of candidates for elections.
Article 7.12: The President, General Secretary, six Secretaries and Treasurer shall be elected by the General Assembly as per procedure adopted by the General Council.
Article 7.13: A special General Assembly shall be called by the General Assembly or by the Executive Council on its own or within 120 days of a written request made by one-fourth of the members of the General Council or one-fourth of the affiliated unions at the previous General Assembly.
Merger and Dissolution
Article 7.14: The decision for merger or dissolution of the NTUI shall be decided only by a special General Assembly called for that purpose and by a resolution for merger or dissolution that is adopted by a three-fourth-majority vote of elected delegates present at the special General Assembly.
General Council
Article 8.1: The General Council shall consist of 1) all the office bearers and 2) elected delegates of affiliate unions on the basis of one representative for every 2000 members or any part thereof exceeding 1000.
Article 8.2: All unions having a membership of more than 1000 shall have a right to nominate one person in the General Council.
Article 8.3: The associate organisations shall be represented ordinarily by one delegate each in the General Council provided that such delegates do not exceed ten percent of the total delegates in the General Council.
Article 8.4: The General Council shall have the powers to nominate or co-opt members in the council.
Article 8.5: The General Council shall meet at least once between two General Assemblies or on requisition from the members representing one-half of the Executive Council or one-fourth of the affiliated unions at the previous General Assembly or General Council as the case may be. The regular General Council shall be held within two years from the General Assembly.
Executive Council
Article 9.1: The Executive Council shall consist of the President, General Secretary, Treasurer and the Secretaries and all Presidents and Secretaries of state councils and industrial/ sectoral councils who shall be members of the Executive Council.
Article 9.2: The Executive Council shall elect from among its members such number of Vice Presidents and Joint Secretaries as decided by the Executive Council taking into consideration organisational needs.
Article 9.3: The Executive Council shall have the power to co-opt any member to the Executive Council from among the delegates at the last General Council or General Assembly.
Article 9.4: The Executive Council shall be the governing body of the NTUI between General Councils and shall ordinarily meet every 6 months. A special Executive Council meeting can be called either by the Committee of Office Bearers or by requisition from at least one-half of the members of the Executive Council. The General Secretary or any other Secretary so delegated, shall be responsible for convening the EC and give at least 15 days’ notice of such meeting with the agenda and relevant papers to all the member.
Article 9.5: The Executive Council shall decide the broad policy framework and review the decisions and functioning of the Committee of Office Bearers and its Secretariat.
Article 9.6: The Committee of Office Bearers shall consist of the President, Vice Presidents, General Secretary, Treasurer, the Secretaries and the Joint Secretaries. The Committee of Office Bearers shall meet every 3 months for which the General Secretary or any other Secretary, so delegated with this responsibility, shall give at least 15 days’ notice of such meeting with the agenda and relevant papers to all members. The meeting shall be presided over by the President and in the absence of the President, any one of the Vice-presidents.
Article 9.7: The Committee of Office Bearers will be the decision-making body between two Executive Council meetings. All decisions taken by the Committee of Office Bearers will have to be approved by the Executive Council.
Article 9.8: The quorum of the Executive Council shall be fifty per cent of the existing members and in the absence of such a quorum, all the members present in the meeting may agree to proceed with the meeting provided the next meeting of the Executive Council ratifies all decisions taken in such a meeting.
Article 9.9: Committee of Office Bearers shall be responsible for executing all the decisions of the General Assembly, the General Council, and the Executive Council. .
Article 9.10: The allocation of responsibilities and duties of the day-to-day affairs of the NTUI shall be distributed in the Committee of Office Bearers between the members of the Secretariat.
Article 9.11: The General Secretary in consultation with the Secretariat shall be responsible to steer the affairs of the federation. Members of the Secretariat shall be authorised by the Committee of Office Bearers to sign official documents.
Secretariat
Article 9.12: The Secretariat shall comprise of the elected office bearers of the Federation, namely, the President, the General Secretary, the Treasurer and the Secretaries. The Secretariat shall meet at least once a month. The meetings of the Secretariat may be attended by other members of the Committee of Office bearers as the EC may nominate. The President, or in the absence of the President, the General Secretary shall preside over meetings of the Secretariat.
Article 9.13: The Secretariat shall act as the executive body of the Committee of Office Bearers and will report to the Committee of Office Bearers.
Article 9.14: The Secretariat shall have the power to nominate persons to represent the federation under such procedures as approved by the General Council.
Finances
Article 10.1: The funds of the federation shall constitute of affiliation fees, donations, grants, income from activities and loans, and such funds shall be deposited in a bank and operated with the Treasurer being one of the signatories along with other office-bearers, as approved by the Executive Council.
Article 10.2: The Executive Council is empowered to authorise any 2 or 3 of the office bearers of the federation to open and operate bank accounts at any place subject to the inspection of the Treasurer.
Article 10.3: The Treasurer shall be the chief financial officer of the federation in charge of all books, files and documents related to the financial matters of the federation and shall prepare a financial statement for each meeting of the Executive Council and the General Council and shall also present the Financial Report along with the audited balance sheet in the General Assembly.
Article 10.4: The Treasurer shall prepare the annual budget and investment plan for the surplus money for approval by the Executive Council.
Article 10.5: The Treasurer shall be responsible for maintaining the accounts of the NTUI, ensuring proper audit of such accounts by competent chartered accountants appointed by the Executive Council and compliance of all financial laws and rules applicable to the NTUI.
Forum
Article 11.1: The NTUI shall have Fora to provide for the autonomous development of policy focus, campaign, and mobilisation on specific issues or positions that are consistent with the aims and objectives of the NTUI.
Article 11.2: The General Council on its own or on a proposal supported by ten percent of the General Council members shall have the powers to decide and authorise the formation of Fora within the NTUI and such fora shall be treated as a Fora of the NTUI.
Article 11.3: A proposal for the formation of a Forum shall be submitted to the Secretariat signed by at least ten per cent of the General Council members.
Article 11.4: The Executive Council shall, in consultation with such members of the General Council supporting the proposal, finalise a policy framework and organisational rules for the internal functioning of the Forum consistent with the aims and objectives of the NTUI and submit the same for decision in the next meeting of the General Council.
State Council/ Local Council
Article 12.1: All affiliated unions and associates shall constitute the State/ Local Council as the case may be.
Article 12.2: The NTUI shall encourage unions unaffiliated to the NTUI to join the State/Local Councils in order to promote the solidarity and unity of the working class in the states and regions, and such unions shall have equal right in decision-making as per the procedure framed by the State Councils.
Article 12.3: The State Council can take decisions regarding the office-bearers and procedures for its functioning but shall have at least a President and a Secretary with the President and Secretary being members of affiliated unions.
Article 12.4: The State Council may in the interest of wider participation, elect from among them or nominate a person of Emeritus status for long-standing contribution to the union movement as Chairperson of the State council.
Industrial Council
Article 13.1: The General Council shall decide and authorise the formation of Industrial Councils on its own or when two or more affiliated unions from at least two states in the same industry or sector seek the formation of an Industrial Council.
Article 13.2: The Industrial Council shall be an autonomous organisational entity associated with the NTUI to promote the unity of interests and strategic convergence for organising and collective bargaining and for regulating the industry or sector for labour and the general interest of society.
Article 13.3: All affiliated unions and sections of general unions, which have members in an industry or sector, shall constitute the Industrial Council.
Article 13.4: All unions not affiliated to the NTUI may join the Industrial Councils and such unions shall have equal rights in decision-making of the Council as per rules and regulations framed by the Council.
Article 13.5: Each Industrial Council shall have at least two office-bearers, a President and a Secretary. Such President and Secretary shall be members of affiliated unions of the NTUI.
Article 13.6: The Executive Council shall take no decision on issues related to an industry or sector, where an Industrial Council has been constituted, without consultation with the relevant Industrial Council.
Article 13.7: In the event of an issue of a difference of opinion between the Executive Council and an Industrial Council the matter shall be referred for decision to the General Council where all members of the concerned Industrial Council shall be invited.
Chapter V: DECISION ON POLITICAL ISSUES
Article 14.1: All matters of a political nature shall be decided by a three-fourth majority of the members present in all respective bodies.
Article 14.2: The Executive Council shall have the powers to decide an issue or declare categories of subject matter as being political in nature.
Article 14.3: One-fourth of the members of the Council can seek a vote on an issue on the ground of it being of political nature.
Chapter VI: BY-LAWS
Article 15: The General Council shall have powers to frame binding rules and procedures for governance consistent with the constitution and specifically to regulate and deal with issues relating to:
15.1 Functioning of Executive Council and General Council
15.2 Affiliation of unions
15.3 Affiliation fees
15.4 Submission of returns
15.5 Election of delegates to General Assembly
15.6 Suspension and restoration of affiliation
15.7 Dispute Settlement Procedure
15.8 Code of Ethical Practice
15.9 Functioning of Industrial Councils
15.10 Functioning of Forums
15.11 Creation of Special Funds
The Constitution of NTUI was amended in the Third General Assembly in December 2013.
Rules adopted at the First General Council, 29-30 July 2007, Chennai
Rules for State Council Formation
1. Responsibilities of the State Council
1.1: The State Council shall be the organisation of the NTUI in the State responsible for steering and overseeing the work and interest of NTUI and implement all its decisions and programmes.
1.2: The State Council in pursuance of NTUI aims and objective shall:
- Strive towards unity and building co-ordinated labour struggle in the State.
- Build strong, united and democratic NTUI organisation in the State.
- Strive to win wider recognition of labour contribution to society and shape the political and social process in the State
1.3: The function of the State Council shall be to:
- encourage co-operation between unions;
- mediate disputes and resolve inter-union rivalries;
- facilitate, assist and enable unions to federate on industrial basis and develop industrial level bargaining strategy;
- build unity among affiliate unions for education, learning and sharing of. experiences in organising , collective bargaining and political actions;
- integrate the resources, capacity and initiatives of affiliated unions for co-ordinated organising plan for new areas and sectors; and
- campaign with political parties, peoples’ organisation and institutions on issues of labour interest, including legislative action.
1.4: The State Council shall consist of:
- one of the principle office bearers nominated of the affiliated union,
- representatives nominated by the affiliated union with more than 1000 members on the basis of one representative for every additional 500 members beyond 1000, but not exceeding five representatives per union, and
- nominations from the associate organisations.
1.5: The associate organisations in a state shall be eligible for nominating a person to the State Council, provided such nominated persons do not exceed ten per cent of the total strength of the State Council, and if the nominated persons exceeds such percent, the State Council shall elect ten percent of the strength from collegiums of such nominated persons.
1.6: The State Council shall have the powers to co-opt members in the Council, in particular one representative from non- affiliated unions expressing intent to work with the NTUI in a stable manner with the view of facilitating co-operation between unions.
1.7: The State Council shall meet at least once every three month or on requisition from the members representing one-fourth of the total strength of the State Council.
1.8: The State Council shall take all its decisions by a majority vote, except if otherwise provided in the Constitution or State rules.
1.9: The State Council shall elect from the State Council a State President and a State Secretary who are members of affiliated unions and State Vice-presidents and Organising Secretaries.
1.10: The responsibilities and duties of the day-to-day affairs of a State Council of the NTUI shall be with the respective State Secretary and the Organising Secretaries under the general supervision of the State Secretary in consultation with the State President.
1.11: The State Council shall be presided over by the Chairperson or the State President and in their absence the senior most State Vice-president.
1.12: The State Council may in the interest of wider participation, elect from among them or nominate a person of Emeritus status for long-standing contribution to the union movement as Chairperson of the State council.
1.13: The State Council on receiving the proposal for affiliation of a union, within its jurisdiction, from the Executive Council, shall submit their report and recommendation within 90 days.
1.14: The State Council may submit a report to the Secretariat on an affiliated union within its jurisdiction to propose actions against the union on any of the following grounds:
- non-payment of affiliation dues for two consecutive years;
- working in a concerted manner against the decisions and interests of the General and/or State Council; and/or
- indulging in activities and practices in gross violation of the aims and objectives of the NTUI and the general interest of the labour movement
And the Secretariat shall ensure independent examination of the issues and decide the matter within 60 days of receipt of the report.
1.15: The State Council may recommend any organisation or alliance of working people, other than trade unions, which has a concern for labour and supports/complements trade union movement and subscribes to the general aims and policies of the NTUI, for association with NTUI
2. State Assembly
2.1: The regular State Assembly shall be held every year. The time and place of holding the Assembly shall be decided by the State Council and informed to all affiliated unions and associates through a notice 60 days in advance.
2.2: The affiliated unions shall elect delegates for the State Assembly at least 15 days prior to the State Assembly and submit the names of the delegates to the State Secretary.
2.3: All resolutions, reports and any other proposals shall be proposed to the State Assembly only by the decision of the State Council except where more than twenty-five per cent of delegates in the State Assembly make a signed proposal to the presidium to put it forward for consideration by State Assembly.
3. State Levy
3.1: Each affiliated union within the jurisdiction of the State Council shall pay a State levy of One Rupee per member per annum subject to a maximum of Rs.5000 per union
3.2: The State Council may constitute a Solidarity Fund for supporting victimised workers and an Organising Fund for organising new workers with a separate governing structure formed in association with the unions and other organisations contributing to these funds.
3.3: The State Council may decide any other levy by a two-third majority vote of the Council.
4. Decision on Political Issues
4.1: All matters of a political nature shall be decided by a three-fourth majority of the members present in the State Council.
4.2: The State Council may recommend to the Executive Council for declaring an issue or categories of subject matter as being political in nature.
4.3: One-fourth of the members of the State Council can seek a vote on an issue on the ground of it being of political nature.
Rules adopted at the Second General Assembly, 15-16 December 2009, Mumbai
Rules for Election of Principal Office Bearers
1. ELECTION COMMISSION
1.1 The Election Commission shall conduct the Election.
1.2 The nomination papers shall be scrutinised by the Election Commission and the final list of candidates prepared.
1.3 The Election Commission shall declare the result.
2. ELIGIBILITY TO CONTEST ELECTION
Any delegate (whose name appears in the Executive Council approved final delegate list) and who is an office-bearer of an affiliated union, can contest the election for any of the positions of the nine elected office-bearers (the President, the General Secretary, the Treasurer and the six Secretaries).
3. NOMINATION
Any delegate who is eligible to contest can file nomination for any of the nine elected positions. Each nomination should be proposed by one delegate and seconded by at least four delegates drawn from five different affiliate unions from at least two different states.
4. VOTING
4.1 Filing of nominations will open thirty days before the commencement of the General Assembly. Nomination, withdrawal and scrutiny of nominations will conclude a day before the commencement of the General Assembly.
4.2 All voting shall be conducted by secret ballot.
4.3 All delegates must vote for the President, the General Secretary, the Treasurer and six Secretaries.
4.4 There shall be two ballots – one for the election of the President, the General Secretary and the Treasurer and one for the election of the secretaries.
4.5 The election of the President, the General Secretary and the Treasurer will be decided by simple majority.
4.6 For the election of secretaries, if there are more than six candidates for the position of Secretary then a ballot will be held. In the event of a ballot, the votes received by the candidates will be ranked in a decreasing order and the first six candidates will be declared to be secretaries. If a delegate votes for more than six secretaries the ballot will be deemed disqualified. But, if a delegate votes for less than six secretaries, the ballot will be valid.