Information for candidates, by-election to the council of the British Medical Association for the 2018-19 to 2021-2022 sessions - BMA
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Information for candidates,
by-election to the council
of the British Medical
Association for the 2018-19
to 2021-2022 sessions
British Medical Association
bma.org.uk1 List of contents Introduction 2 Notes on completing and submitting the nomination form 4 Information about BMA council 13 Elections to BMA council 17 This is a general guide only. The information contained within the guide is subject to the articles and bye-laws of the association and to company and trade union law, which can be found on the BMA website.
2 British Medical Association
IntroductionInformation for candidates, by-election to the council of the British Medical Association 3
for the sessions 2018-19 to 2021-2022 sessions
Introduction
Thank you for your interest in standing for election to BMA council.
This booklet is intended to:
–– help you complete your nomination form online
–– explain what the council does and its constitutional position
within the association
–– explain what is expected of members of council and give details
about how the election will run
If anything is unclear or you would like further information
or assistance in completing your nomination please contact
Alex Lonie, by email alex.lonie@electoralreform.co.uk or
by phone 020 8365 8909.
Voting members of the council of the British Medical Association
will be elected in 2018 to serve for four years for the sessions,
2018-19 to 2021-2022.
The 2018 by-election will be conducted to elect two representatives
from the south east coast region.
The electorate will be members in the south coast region.
An election was held earlier in 2018 to elect the fullcouncil, however
no nominations were received from the south coast region (2 seats).
Council at its meeting on 18 July 2018 agreed to hold a by-election
for the two vacant seats.4 British Medical Association
Notes on
completing and
submitting the
nomination formInformation for candidates, by-election to the council of the British Medical Association 5
for the sessions 2018-19 to 2021-2022 sessions
Notes on completing the nomination form
You should read these notes before completing your nomination form.
Completing the nomination form
Nominations must be made via the website www.ersvotes.com/
bmanoms18. Copies received via any other method will not be
accepted. The deadline for receipt of nominations is 4pm Monday
22 August 2018. Late nominations will not be accepted.
All overseas members by definition, have no assigned region and
so are excluded from standing as candidates and voting in the
regional election. Overseas members will be determined via their
preferred contact address on the BMA's register of members at the
time that nominations in this election open on 22 August 2018.
All members standing for election must ensure that they are in a
position to maintain their non-overseas status for the duration of
any appointment under this process. Any change to a members'
address which would result in a reclassification of the member as an
overseas member will invalidate the member's appointment with
effect from the date of the reclassification.
A nomination form that is not properly completed and submitted
will be considered invalid. It is your responsibility to ensure that
the form is correct and complete. Amendments to forms will not
be permitted after the close of nominations. If you experience any
difficulties in completing or submitting your nominations via the
link, please contact ERS on alex.lonie@electoralreform.co.uk
1. Candidate’s name
Names will be printed on the voting paper with the surname you
have given first, followed by your first name.
2. ('Geographical') region/nation
The 'geographical' zone is determined by what division you are
listed under via your preferred contact address on the BMA’s register
of members at the time that nominations in this election open on
8 August 2018.
A map and list of divisions for the south east coast is on the next pages.6 British Medical Association
The 13 council 'geographical' zones
Scotland, Northern Ireland, Wales, south central, south east coast,
eastern, London, south west, north west, north east, Yorkshire, east
Midlands, west Midlands.
Scotland
North
Northern East
Ireland
Yorkshire
North West
East Midlands
West
Midlands
Eastern
Wales
South
Central London
South East coast
South WestInformation for candidates, by-election to the council of the British Medical Association 7 for the sessions 2018-19 to 2021-2022 sessions 'Geographical' zones by division South East Coast region Division name Aldershot Farnham and Frimley Brighton Dartford Gravesend and Medway Eastern Kent East Surrey East Sussex Guildford Maidstone and Tunbridge Wells Mid-Downs West Sussex Woking and Chertsey
8 British Medical Association
3. Branch of practice
Your primary branch of medical practice will be determined
by that category of medical work in which, at the time that
nominations in this election open (which is 22 August 2018), you
spend the majority of your remunerated medical time (except for
medical students and retired members). If required to do so by
the Returning Officer for the election, you must show evidence
of your branch of practice status or risk being disqualified from
the election. If you think that your entry in our membership
records may be incorrect, you must contact one of our advisors
on 0300 123 1233 or email membership@bma.org.uk to ensure
that you are correctly listed. Members can update their details
online at bma.org.uk/updatemydetails
In the event of a dispute as to your eligibility to stand for election,
your electoral zone or your branch of practice, the decision of the
Returning Officer shall be final.
The branch of practice groups and their definitions are as follows:
Academics
Doctors holding appointments from one or more of the following
organisations: a university, a medical school, the Medical Research
Council or other academic institutions engaged in medical
research and/or medical education. This category also includes
pharmaceutical physicians.
Armed forces
Doctors who are either serving officers, reservists or civilian doctors
employed by, contracted to, or seconded to the Ministry of Defence.
Consultants
Doctors holding an appointment in consultant medical practice
and/or whose job requires their name to be included on the
Specialist Register, or doctors providing services of substantially
the same type and nature, other than consultants in public
health medicine.
General practice
Medical practitioners providing and/or performing primary medical
services under the National Health Service Act 2006 and/or theInformation for candidates, by-election to the council of the British Medical Association 9 for the sessions 2018-19 to 2021-2022 sessions National Health Service (Wales) Act 2006 and/or the National Health Service (Consequential Provisions) Act 2006 and/or the National Health Service (Scotland) Act 1978 and/or the Health and Personal Social Services (Northern Ireland) Order 1972 and any Acts or Orders amending or consolidating the same and as from time to time extended to all or any part of the United Kingdom or doctors providing services of substantially the same type and nature and not under NHS legislation, excluding GP trainees. This category includes prison GPs. Junior doctors Doctors holding an appointment in a recognised training grade including GP trainees. Medical students Those enrolled for a course of study in the United Kingdom for, or leading to, a primary medical qualification, including those who have suspended their studies for a period not exceeding 12 months. Occupational medicine Doctors holding appointments as accredited specialists in occupational medicine. Public health medicine Doctors working in public health practice who are on the specialist register for public health medicine or who, while working in a career post, are working to obtain a CESR in public health medicine. Retired doctors Doctors declaring themselves as permanently retired from medical practice. There is no age restriction on membership of council. Staff, associate specialists and specialty doctors Doctors holding appointments as associate specialists, specialty doctors, staff grades, clinical assistants (who are not GPs), Senior Clinical Medical Officers, Clinical Medical Officers, non-standard ‘trust’ grades, and those career grade hospital doctors whose appointment does not require them to be on the Specialist Register. Other Members in practice, but not covered by those categories listed above.
10 British Medical Association
4. Gender
There are no gender constraints applied to this election.
5. Your electoral statement
Candidates are encouraged to make written statements in support
of their candidature. Your statements will be sent with the ballot
papers and will also be made available for BMA members via a
publicly available and fully searchable area of the BMA website and
will be made available to BMA News and related media.
You may wish to highlight what you believe makes you suitable as
a candidate – how your ideas, philosophy, and experience will help
you bring about change and improvements in the areas that interest
you and which will benefit the BMA and its members.
An example of how statements will be laid out and sent to voters is
outlined overleaf.Information for candidates, elections to the council of the BMA 11
for the sessions 2018-19 to 2021-2022 sessions
EXAMPLE
Candidates’ details and election statements
This is an example of how the candidate information and statements will be
formatted. There will be no spaces between the lines and the message for
voters and statement sections will be formatted as one continuous paragraph.
Name: SMITH, John
Electoral Zone: South East Coast PHOTO
Branch of Practice: General Practice
Year of qualification: 1999
Job title: GP Partner
Message for voters: XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
XXXXXX XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
XXXXXXXXXXXXX
Statement: AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA
AAAAAAA AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA
AAAAAAAAAAAAA AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA
AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA
AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA
The returning officer will determine the type face, font size etc of the
final statements produced.
6. Your brief message
This is intended to enable you to highlight to the membership your
main message about your candidature. Your brief message will be
sent with the ballot papers and, will also be made available for BMA
members via a publicly available and fully searchable area of the BMA
website and may be made available to BMA News and related media.
7. Your photo
Members have the option of submitting a recent passport sized
photo of only themselves to be included with their election
statement to voters.
8. Canvassing
Canvassing is an integral part of an election and Twitter and
Facebook, for example, can be used. Members are not permitted
to use BMA resources to canvas and should not send unsolicited
communications.12 British Medical Association
9. Statements
Any civil or criminal liability in respect of publishing or copying an
election address rests solely with the candidate concerned.
If you have any doubts as to your eligibility for election
please contact Alex Lonie on T: 020 8365 8909
E: alex.lonie@electoralreform.co.uk.
ERS will acknowledge receipt of both statement and photo.Information for candidates, by-election to the council of the British Medical Association 13 for the sessions 2018-19 to 2021-2022 sessions Information about BMA council
14 British Medical Association
Governance
Representative Policy Policy BMA board
Council
body of directors
Boards, Finance
committees committee
and councils*
Regional
councils†
BMA audit and BMJ board
risk committee
National
councils
BMJ executive BMA executive
Divisions
Relationship key:
Direction/accountability
Oversight
* †
Committees: Regional councils:
Consultants Eastern
General practitioners East midlands
Junior doctors London
Medical academic staff North east
Medical students North west
Public health medicine South east coast
Staff, associate specialists and specialty doctors South west
Armed forces South central
Occupational medicine West Midlands
Civil and public service Yorkshire
Forensic medicine and secure environments
Medico-legal
Pensions
Private practice
Professional fees
Committee on community care
Committee of medical managers
International
Medical ethics
BMA charitable trust
Board of science
Patient liaison groupInformation for candidates, by-election to the council of the British Medical Association 15 for the sessions 2018-19 to 2021-2022 sessions Information about BMA council Council’s constitutional position and its activities The BMA is a trade union and a company limited by guarantee. Council is the principal executive committee (PEC) of the trade union. Council sets the strategic direction of the association in line with policy decided by the representative body at the annual representative meeting. Council is responsible for the formulation of policy throughout the year and for ensuring the implementation of that policy. Council also appoints members to committees and the board of directors. The board of directors is responsible for administering the affairs of the association, management of the finances, general administration and ensures delivery and implementation of the strategic and operational objectives of the association. BMA policy and the articles and bye-laws can be found on the BMA website bma.org.uk/ukcouncil along with agendas and associated papers from previous council meetings.
16 British Medical Association
Arrangements for meetings of council
The association’s ‘session’ runs from the end of one annual
representative meeting (ARM) to the end of the next one, normally
June to June. Council normally meets six times during the session.
Members of council and those elected to take up office are
members of the representative body and this normally meets for
four days at the end of June or beginning of July. Council members
will also be invited to attend the 2019 ARM in Belfast.
Meetings of council are normally held in BMA House in London and
start at 10am. The business is usually concluded by approximately
5pm. Members’ receipted travel and subsistence expenses are
reimbursed as are receipted locum costs. Members are also
eligible for the payment of honoraria after the completion, in any
session, of 12 BMA meeting days. The conduct of meetings is
governed by standing orders and copies of these are available to
candidates on request.
Crèche facilities and prayer rooms or quiet rooms can be provided
for members on council meeting days. Further information on the
BMA’s care guidelines are available on the website.
Details on current council membership and constitution are also
on the website.
Dates of meetings in the 2018-19 session
Tuesday 17 July 2018 – Council induction day (This meeting will be
video recorded for non attendees).
Wednesday 18 July 2018
Wednesday 19 September 2018
Wednesday 14 November 2018
Wednesday 16 January 2019
Wednesday 13 March 2019
Wednesday 15 May 2019Information for candidates, by-election to the council of the British Medical Association 17
for the sessions 2018-19 to 2021-2022 sessions
Elections to
council18 British Medical Association
Elections to council
Extract from bye-laws 56(2) for information
56 (2) Voting members
1. Council shall consist of between 58 and 74 voting members.
2. Voting members will be elected by secret ballot by single
transferable vote.
3. Voting members of council shall be drawn from the following
three categories:
a. all UK nations/regions (as defined in paragraph 2.1 below)
b. all branches of practice (as defined in paragraph 2.2 below)
c. across the UK generally (as further described in paragraph
2.3 below)
4. In each case in the number of seats set out in those paragraphs.
In the geographical electoral category, the electorate will be
those members residing in that nation/region. In the branch of
practice electoral category, the electorate will be those members
engaged or employed in the respective branch of practice. In the
UK electoral category, the electorate will be the whole of
the membership.
2.1 UK nations/regions ('Geographical')
The UK nations/regions, and the number of seats each shall have on
the council, shall be as follows:
London –4 seats, of which no more than 3 shall be elected
from the same gender
Scotland – 2 seats
Wales – 2 seats
Northern Ireland – 2 seats
North eastern – 2 seats
North western – 2 seats
South central – 2 seats
Eastern – 2 seats
South east coast – 2 seats
South western – 2 seats
West Midlands – 2 seats
East Midlands – 2 seats
Yorkshire – 2 seatsInformation for candidates, by-election to the council of the British Medical Association 19
for the sessions 2018-19 to 2021-2022 sessions
The 2018 council election resulted in the following outcome:
UK COUNCIL ELECTION CATEGORIES / SEATS (voting)*
58-74 seats (the extremes of the range are unlikely)
64 seats filled
(NB: This is in addition to the current 21 ex-officio members)1
Candidates elected by ballot appear in purple font
Candidates that were elected unopposed appear in blue font
(“GEOGRAPHICAL”) BRANCH OF PRACTICE UK-WIDE
REGION / NATION 23-30 seats (inc those also elected in regional or
28 seats 26 seats filled BoP categories)
26 seats filled Direct UK – 7 seats filled
General UK – 5 seats filled
x1 English regions – Consultants (4 seats if four or more Direct UK seats
(4 seats each, of which consultants win regional/national (Only those candidates who choose
no more than 3 shall seats, otherwise 5 seats, and in any this in preference to regional or
be elected from the case no more than 3 of which shall be branch of practice seats)
same gender) elected from the same gender)
If all BoP extra seats are triggered –
London As 9 Consultants won regional/ 5 (of which no more than three shall
GERADA, Clare national seats there are 4 seats be of the same gender)
(General Practice) available, 1 candidate was elected
O’KANE, Kevin unopposed to satisfy the gender If all but one are triggered – 6 (of
(Consultants) constraint: which no more than four shall be of
BARHAM-BROWN, FIDLER, Helen (London) the same gender)
Hannah S (Junior COLLIER, Andrew (North West)
Doctors) JAIN, Anil (North West) Otherwise – 7 (of which no more
HOWARD, Philip John HENLEY, Michael J (East Midlands) than four shall be of the same
(Consultants) gender).
GPs (4 seats if four or more GPs win
x9 English regions – regional/national seats, otherwise As all but three BoP extra seats were
(2 seats each) 5 seats, and in any case no more than triggered there are 7 Direct UK Seats
3 of which shall be elected from the available:
Eastern same gender) POLLOCK, Allyson M
BRAMALL-STAINER, (Scotland – Academics)
Katie (General Practice) As 12 GPs won regional/national seats SAVAGE, Wendy Diane
HORMAECHE, Sebastian there are 4 seats available: (London – Retired)
(SAS Doctors) VAUTREY, Richard (Yorkshire) WRIGLEY, David (North West –
EVERINGTON, Sam (A.H.) (London) General Practice)
East midlands CLAYTON, Christine (South East Coast) GAVAGHAN, Lauren (South West –
HOLDEN, Peter JP GREEN, Andrew (Yorkshire) Consultants)
(General Practice) DOLPHIN, Tom (London – Consultants)
PEARSON, Philip Junior doctors (4 seats if four or more QURESHI, Moosa (London – Junior
(Consultants) junior doctors win regional/national Doctors)
seats, Otherwise 5 seats, and in any CHISHOLM, John (London – Other)
North east case no more than 3 of which shall be
RAE, George elected from the same gender)
(General Practice)
GREAVES, Zoe
(Junior Doctors)20 British Medical Association
UK COUNCIL ELECTION CATEGORIES / SEATS (voting)*
58-74 seats (the extremes of the range are unlikely)
64 seats filled
(NB: This is in addition to the current 21 ex-officio members)1
Candidates elected by ballot appear in purple font
Candidates that were elected unopposed appear in blue font
(“GEOGRAPHICAL”) BRANCH OF PRACTICE UK-WIDE
REGION / NATION 23-30 seats (inc those also elected in regional or
28 seats 26 seats filled BoP categories)
26 seats filled Direct UK – 7 seats filled
General UK – 5 seats filled
North west As 3 Junior Doctors won regional/ General UK seats
YELL, Jennifer A national seats there are 5 seats
(Consultants) available and 2 candidates are now (All candidates)
BARNETT, Rob elected unopposed to satisfy the
(General Practice) gender constraint: 20 seats
BARCLAY, Jennifer (North West)
South central COSTACHE, Cristina (South West) (subject to a counting constraint
FREEMAN, Alex WIJESURIYA, Jeeves (London) that the number of candidates
(General Practice) HADDOCK, James (West Midlands) elected who were not also elected in
McNAB, Ian S H GOURTSOYANNIS, Yannis (London) the regional or BoP category must
(Consultants) not exceed such number as would
Medical students (3 seats if three or increase the overall size of council
South east coast more students win regional/national to 74).
No candidates seats, Otherwise 4 seats, and in any
case no more than 2 of which shall be As 59 seats have already been
South west elected from the same gender) filled and the overall size of council
McKEOWN, Helena must not exceed 74, no more than
(General Practice) As no Medical Students won a 15 candidates who were not also
CRAIGMYLE, David regional/national seat there are 4 elected in the regional/national or
(General Practice) seats available: BoP category can be elected (such
RUNSWICK, Emma (North West) candidates are marked by asterisk *):
West midlands ALOM, Jahangir Jingy (South Central) *GERADA, Clare (London – General
McCARTHY, Mary SMITH, Chris (South Central) Practice)
(General Practice) THEAKSTON, Vicky (East Midlands) *EVERINGTON, Sam (A.H.) (London –
ARORA, Pooja General Practice)
(General Practice) SAS doctors (2 seats if at least one *VAUTRY, Richard (Yorkshire – General
such doctor wins a regional/national Practice)-
Yorkshire seat, Otherwise 3 seats) *WIJESURIYA, Jeeves (London – Junior
KASARENENI, Krishna Doctors)
(General Practice) As 2 SAS doctors won regional/ *HOLDEN, Peter JP (East Midlands –
COCKER, Lucie national seats there are 2 seats General Practice)
(Junior Doctors) available: *O’KANE, Kevin (London – Consultants)
KOCHHAR, Amit (North West) *BENNIE, Peter (Scotland –
x3 Nations – (2 seats SHANBHAG, Radhakrishna (North West) Consultants)
each) *HADDOCK, James (West Midlands –
Academics (1 seat if two or more Junior Doctors)
Scotland academics win a regional or national FLATT, Nick (North West – Consultants)
BENNIE, Peter seat. Otherwise 2 seats ) CHAND, Kailash (North West – Retired
(Consultants) Doctors)
KENNEDY, Iain Only 1 Academics seat can be filled as APPLEBEE, Jackie (London – General
(General Practice) there was only 1 nomination received: Practice)
REES, Michael Ralph (Wales)Information for candidates, by-election to the council of the British Medical Association 21
for the sessions 2018-19 to 2021-2022 sessions
UK COUNCIL ELECTION CATEGORIES / SEATS (voting)*
58-74 seats (the extremes of the range are unlikely)
64 seats filled
(NB: This is in addition to the current 21 ex-officio members)1
Candidates elected by ballot appear in purple font
Candidates that were elected unopposed appear in blue font
(“GEOGRAPHICAL”) BRANCH OF PRACTICE UK-WIDE
REGION / NATION 23-30 seats (inc those also elected in regional or
28 seats 26 seats filled BoP categories)
26 seats filled Direct UK – 7 seats filled
General UK – 5 seats filled
Wales Public health doctors (1 seat if a *McKEOWN, Helena (South West –
BANFIELD, Philip public health doctor wins a regional or General Practice)
(Consultants) national seat. Otherwise 2 seats *RAE, George (North East – General
PICKERSGILL, Trevor Practice)
(Consultants) As no Public Health Doctor won a *BRAMALL-STAINER, Katie (Eastern –
regional/national seat there are General Practice)
Northern Ireland 2 seats available: IRVINE, Louise (London – General
DARRAGH, Paul ENGLISH, Peter M B (London) Practice)
(SAS Doctors) TOFF, Penelope (South Central) *COLLIER, Andrew (North West –
HEDDERWICK, Sara Consultants)
(Consultants Retired (1 seat) *KENNEDY, Iain (Scotland – General
RAWLINS, Richard Duddingston Practice)
(South West) *HEDDERWICK, Sara (Northern Ireland
– Consultants)
Armed forces (1 seat) DAVIS, Jacky (London – Consultants)
EVANS, Glynn (West Midlands) *YELL, Jennifer A (North West –
Consultants)
Occupational medicine (1 seat)
WEIR, Mark J S (North East)
Other (1 seat)
CURRY, Peter (Scotland)
*Candidates to choose ONE seat from either geographical or BoP or UK-wide direct election categories.
All candidates to be entered into the UK-wide (general UK seats) election ballot. Candidates elected in the UK-wide
direct election category to be removed from the UK general seats count and their votes redistributed. Candidates
elected in the geographical or BoP category to remain in the count with a view to reducing the size of council.
1 President, Chair of Representative Body, Council chair, Treasurer, Deputy Chair of Representative Body, Deputy
council chair, The chairs of the following bodies: Northern Ireland Council, Scottish Council, Welsh Council,
Consultants Committee, General Practitioners Committee, Junior Doctors Committee, Medical Academic Staff
Committee, Medical Ethics Committee, Medical Students Committee, Public Health Medicine Committee, Staff,
Associate Specialists and Specialty Doctor Committee, Board of the BMJ Publishing Group, Board of Science,
Organisation Committee, Patient Liaison Group.22 British Medical
Information Association
for candidates, elections to the council of the British Medical Association 22
for the sessions 2018-19 to 2021-2022 sessions
Timetable for the election
The timetable for the election is expected to be as follows:
Nominations open 8 August 2018
Nominations close 22 August 2018 at 4pm
Voting papers posted 13 September 2018
Deadline for receipt of voting papers 9 October 2018 by 5pm
Results sent to candidates and Week commencing 15 October 2018
placed on the BMA website.
The Returning Officer shall approve all election notices and deadlines
and all voting papers shall be in the form prescribed by the Returning
Officer. In the event of a dispute as to a candidates eligibility to stand
for election, the decision of the Returning Officer shall be final.
The ballot
The election will be conducted by secret ballot using single
transferable vote. Voters will need to return the ballot by post or this
scanned ballot will also be accepted by Electoral Reform Service
(ERS), as the Independent Scrutineers.
The Single Transferable Vote .
The STV is a system which is deemed to ensure that as far as possible
every vote has a positive part in helping to elect some candidate,
that no voting power is wasted and that no voter has a greater
influence on the result than any other. The system gives each
elector ONE vote, irrespective of the number of vacancies to be
filled, and makes that vote transferable. Voting papers are completed
by placing the candidates into a preferred order using the figure
‘1’, ‘2’, ‘3’ etc. The figure ‘1’ represents the vote and is mandatory.
The rest are contingency markings and optional but important as
they can influence the final result. For that reason the elector is
recommended to express preferences until he/she is unable to
differentiate between any remaining candidates. When votes are
counted, the Returning Officer works to a Quota. This is the number of
votes a candidate requires to be certain of election and is calculated
to a simple arithmetical formula (number of votes cast divided by
number of vacancies plus 1). Any candidate elected with more votes
than needed (i.e. above the quota) has surplus votes transferred to
the remaining candidates - again using a set formula (see below).Information for candidates, by-election to the council of the British Medical Association 23
for the sessions 2018-19 to 2021-2022 sessions
Votes of any candidates excluded from the count through insufficient
support are also transferred on the same basis. In both cases the
contingency markings come into play, thereby avoiding votes being
wasted as would be the case in a first-past-the-post election. Votes
surplus to the quota are always transferred before bottom candidates
are eliminated. Under no circumstances can a later preference count
against an earlier preference.
Formula for redistribution
Surplus votes are redistributed as follows. Candidate ‘A’ requires
25 votes to reach the quota but has received 30 votes. All 30 second
votes are noted and the five surplus votes are then redistributed on
a % basis and added to the total already received by each candidate.
For example:
Second Votes of Candidate A % of 5
Candidate B 10 1.67
Candidate C 15 2.50
Candidate D 4 0.66
No preference expressed 1 0.16
Should any number ‘2’ votes have already met the quota or been
eliminated then ‘2’ is ignored and the ‘3’ and ‘4’ etc. votes come
into play.
Extracts from bye-laws 58-60
58. Mode of Nomination and Election of Elected Members
of Council
(1) All candidates shall be voting members of the Association.
(2) A candidate’s UK nation or region shall be determined by their
address on the Association’s register of members at the time
when nominations in the election open.
(3) A candidate’s primary branch of practice shall, save for medical
students and retired members, be determined by that category
of medical work in which, at the time when nominations in
the election open, the candidate spends the majority of their
remunerated medical time.
(4) In the event of a dispute as to a candidate’s eligibility to stand
for election, the decision of the returning officer shall be final.
(5) In the event of a tie in the election, the result will be decided
by drawing lots in the presence of the chief executive and the
independent scrutineer for the election.24 British Medical Association
(9) There shall be no age restriction on membership of council.
Term of Office and Eligibility for Re-election
59. (1) Voting members of council shall hold office for four years
from the conclusion of the annual representative meeting
in the year of their election until the conclusion of the
fourth next following annual representative meeting.
(2) Voting members of council shall be eligible for re-election
provided always that they continue to qualify for election.
(3) Ex-officio members of council shall hold office until the
election of their successors.
Vacancies
60. Any casual vacancy in the council shall be filled by council, in
its discretion and having regard to the branch of practice and
geographical balance of council, appointing a member of the
Association it reasonably believes to be qualified to fill the
vacancy. The person filling the vacancy shall retain their office
until the next election and they shall have a vote.
Other information
The period for voting commences on the date on which the first
voting papers in the election are posted and the time and date by
which voting papers must be returned to ERS will appear on the
voting papers.
If a serious interruption of postal services occurs after the
Returning Officer has fixed the deadline for the return of voting
papers, or after voting papers have been dispatched, a new deadline
for the return of papers may be arranged and any new deadline will
be notified in BMA News and on the website.
If, after the period for voting commences, a candidate dies or
withdraws their nomination or is found by the Returning Officer to
be ineligible to be elected, that candidate will be withdrawn from
the election count and votes for that candidate will be redistributed
during the count.
In the event of a tie, the result will be decided by the drawing of lots
in the presence of the chief executive and independent scrutineers
for the election.25 British Medical
Information Association
for candidates, by-election to the council of the British Medical Association 25
for the sessions 2018-19 to 2021-2022 sessions
If, after being declared elected and before taking up office, a
candidate dies or withdraws their nomination or is found to be
ineligible for election by the Returning Officer, the candidate
elected will be the next highest candidate, allowing for any
constraints that need to be met.
Candidates in the election will be notified by email, of the results
and a detailed breakdown of all results will appear on the
BMA’s website.
Term of office
Members elected to council in 2018 will serve a four-year term
of office. They will take up office at the close of the 2018 ARM,
on 28 June 2018, and will stand down following the ARM in 2022.
Elected members are eligible for re-election, provided that they
continue to qualify for election.
Induction day
The induction day on 17 July was video recorded and will be available
to new members.
An induction pack will also be distributed to members, which will
include information on the BMA’s decision-making structures,
organisation chart and useful contact details.
Code of conduct
Members of council are bound by a code of conduct available from
the BMA’s website bma.org.uk/ukcouncil
Elections memorandum of understanding
Members are asked to note the following (agreed at council,
March 2017):
The elections memorandum of understanding will apply to
all committee members and posts in the BMA. Candidates for
election to posts will be asked to declare that they have read
the memorandum of understanding when submitting
their nominations.26 British Medical Association
The BMA can only function with the contributions of those
members who seek election as representatives. Thank you for
making the commitment to help represent your colleagues. In order
that elected BMA representatives can work together effectively the
following principles are important.
–– W hen you are speaking to or communicating in the broadcast,
print or social media as an elected BMA representative, or are
identified as such, you must honestly represent the views of
the BMA
–– When speaking in a personal capacity you must explicitly ask not
to be identified as an elected BMA representative
–– C ommittee officers must coordinate media engagements with
the press office
–– You must declare conflicts of interest to your committee chair /
committee secretary as appropriate
–– You must uphold the confidentiality of your committee when
requested. If in doubt, ask the chair of the committee.
–– A s a member of the medical profession and as an elected
representative, you must behave in a professional manner at all
times. Robust debate is sometimes essential in forming policy,
but you must always treat patients, colleagues and staff
with respect
–– In standing for election you agree to uphold these principles.
By adding your name to the nomination form you confirm that you are lawfully
entitled to stand for the position to which it relates and you specifically confirm
that you have not committed any offence pursuant to which section 45B of
The Trade Union Labour Relations (Consolidation) Act 1992 relates.Information for candidates, by-election to the council of the British Medical Association 27 for the sessions 2018-19 to 2021-2022 sessions
28 British Medical Association
British Medical Association BMA House, Tavistock Square, London WC1H 9JP bma.org.uk © British Medical Association, 2018 BMA 20180468
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