IAB Election 2020, Dhaka, 12 November - 4 December 2020

Voting will be open on 4 December 2020 from 2:00 pm to 10:00 pm BST

Voting Instruction Video! - Meet the Candidates!

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Download Schedule & Code of Conduct



24th Executive Council and 10th Chattogram Chapter Election 2020.


Greetings from IAB Election Commission 2020!

To all Members & Fellows of IAB:

In the midst of the global pandemic situation and IAB’s Constitutional obligation to conduct election by 1st week of December, 2020, this term’s IAB Election is going to be held online.

Health and life safety of each and every member of IAB is the utmost priority here. Under this extraordinary circumstances we request the understanding and cooperation of all IAB Members and Fellows to conduct the online election process.

The personal identification process of each individual voter this time will be based ONLY on each member’s/ fellow’s personal mobile number & personal email address. If you have not updated yet, please update your mobile number and email address in IAB database by visiting IAB Office in person on or before November 03, 2020.

This is a collective challenge for all of us to conduct a free and fair election online within such tight schedule. Only your cooperation can make it a success.
 

Download Final List of Candidates Final Voter List for 24th Executive Council Election Final Voter List for 10th Chattogram Chapter Election

 

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Election by Laws
8. ELECTION
Procedural and operational guidelines on the Election Process shall be approved by the Executive Council and issued at the time of calling of nominations. Chief Election Commissioner, Deputy Chief Election Commissioners, & Election Commissioners shall be known as the Election Officers. An Election Officer must be a Member (regular) or a Fellow (regular) who will not be standing for any office or proposing or seconding a candidate for election.

If any changes are needed in the Procedural and operational guidelines of the Election Process, the Election Commission will propose a new Election By-Laws with necessary changes to the old one and will send it to the Executive Council for approval. This new or modified Election Process/ Guidelines shall be approved by the Executive Council verifying its coherence with the IAB Constitution. After approval of Executive Council, the Election Commission will issue this approved Election process/ guidelines at the time of calling of nominations.

Special Clause: Other than any emergency like natural calamity, war or pandemic situation etc., election shall be conducted through physical presence of voters. In an emergency situation, election process can be conducted by digital or online voting system with properly secured fullproof software based technical support.
 
8.1. The Chief Election Commissioner shall be responsible for the conduct of the election of Council in accordance with the Constitution and Election By-laws. The Election Officers’ role shall be to conduct the elections of the Executive Council and the Chapter Committees and also to assist the Chief Election Commissioner. The Deputy Chief Election Commissioner shall only take over any of the role of the Chief Election Commissioner in the event where the Chief Election Commissioner is unable to carry out his duties.
8.1.1. In unavoidable withdrawal of names or absence of any Election Officer, the Chief Election Commissioner shall propose the name for a new Election Officer for approval of the Executive Council.
8.1.2. In case of denial or inability to carry out the election process by both Chief Election Commissioner and Deputy Chief Election Commissioner, the entire election process may be deferred if, under the situation, it is deemed that holding the election as per regular schedule will not be possible. Executive Council shall convene an Extra Ordinary General Meeting to resolve the situation.

8.2. All nominations shall have to be submitted in the prescribed form with original signature duly signed (in ink not pencil) by the candidate and nominated by a regular Member or Fellow and to be deposited to the local IAB Election Secretariat. Fax and photocopy submissions are not acceptable.
8.2.1. In case of emergency, all nominations shall have to be submitted through digital or online system in a prescribed format given by Election Commission.

8.3. The nominations therein shall be opened after the time of closing of nominations by the concerned Election Officer and accompanied by awitness who is not involved in the Election. 8.3.1. In case of online election process, the nominations therein shall be opened after the time of closing of nominations (submitted digitally and/ or online) by the Election Commission.

8.4. The concerned Election Officer shall prepare a list of all the candidates immediately after the opening of the nominations.

8.5. Only if there are no nominations for a particular post of the Executive Council or Chapter Committee as the case may be, the post shall be filled up as decided after the election by the new Executive Council or Chapter Committee as per guidelines of IAB Constitution. The nomination shall have to be made on a prescribed form duly signed by the General Secretary and a Council Member or a Chapter the Secretary and a Committee Member present in the Meeting of the Executive Council or the Chapter Committee, as the case may be.

8.6. The Election Officers shall prepare a list of all the valid candidates for all the positions of the Executive Council and each of the Chapter Committee together with those candidates who have withdrawn their nominations.

8.7. Each ballot paper shall have to be authenticated with signatures of the Election Officer and stamped with an official IAB Stamp.
8.7.1. In case of online election process each digital ballot paper shall have to be authenticated with digital signatures of the concerned Election Officer and digitally stamped with an official IAB Stamp.

8.8. In case of a paper ballot, a voter after marking the ballot paper shall fold and place the marked ballot paper in the Ballot Box.
 
8.8.1. In case of a digital or online ballot, a voter shall cast her/is vote by a reliable digital or online voting system adopted by the Election Commission.

8.9. Immediately after the election, the Election Officer will proceed to open the ballot box, which shall be then counted by the appointed Scrutineers or with an electronic counting machine. Witnesses shall be allowed to view the opening of the Ballot Box and counting of the ballot papers and should not impede in any way the Election Officer and Scrutineers in carrying out their duties.
8.9.1. In case of online election process, immediately after the election the Election Commission will proceed to open the Online Vote Counting System.

8.10. Two scrutineers, who must be Members or Fellows shall be appointed by the Election Officer. The scrutineers at the direction of the Election Officer shall be responsible for counting the votes. No member of the Executive Council, Chapter Committee or a candidate for election as such shall be eligible for appointment as a Scrutineer.
8.10.1. In case of online election process, the Administrator of Online Vote Counting System at the direction of the Election Commission shall be responsible for counting the votes.

8.11. The ballot papers after examination by the Election Officer and after the counting of votes by the Scrutineers, shall be placed in a packet which shall be sealed and retained for at least 14 days after the Election and shall then cause them to be destroyed.
8.11.1. In case of online election process, the printed copies of online voting records after examination by the Election Commission and after the counting of votes using online relevant software, shall be placed in a packet which shall be sealed and retained for at least 14 days after the Election and shall then cause them to be destroyed. The digital records of voting shall remain preserved digitally in the IAB.

8.12. ELECTION CODE OF CONDUCT
8.12.1. Candidates shall not participate in the election as any panel, group or under the banner of any political party.
8.12.2. Candidate or IAB members shall refrain from making political statement of any kind in their election campaign;
8.12.3. Candidates or IAB members shall not prepare or distribute printed/hard copies of written/leaflets, posters, cards, symbols, banners, buntings, posters or festoons etc. in support of or in opposition to any candidate other than the ones displayed by the Election Commission at the election venue on the day of the election;
8.12.4. Candidates or IAB members shall not organize or hold any meeting, party or gathering to seek vote or canvass for any candidate other than the projection meeting that the Election Commission arranges;
8.12.4.1. In case of online election process, the Election Commission shall arrange an online projection meeting for introducing the Candidates among the Members.
8.12.5. Candidates or IAB members shall not entice voters through promise of financial gains or otherwise to vote in favor of any candidate;
8.12.6. Candidates or IAB members may solicit votes through cell phones/telephones, emails, SMS or posting in any social media, but shall not make any comparative reference implied or otherwise to other candidates, their programs or activities;
8.12.7. No candidate or IAB member shall make any false or controversial statement or adverse comment on the character or integrity of any other candidate in soliciting votes;
8.12.8. Candidates shall send to Election Commission a soft copy of his/her Manifesto in format that the Election Commission prescribes for distribution through electronic media;
8.12.9. A candidate who is an incumbent Member of the Executive Council or Chapter Committee shall not organize any IAB event or function either as an anchor, speaker/presenter or otherwise after submitting her/is nomination paper.
8.12.10. In case of any complaint or on its own, subject to investigation and verification, the Election Commission shall have the power to summarily impose any of the following disciplinary action on the candidate or the IAB member based on graveness of the violation of the Election Code of Conduct:
  1. Reprimand;
  2. Revoking the voting right in the election;
  3. Cancellation of candidature in the election.
In case of any confusion or conflict in interpretation of these Codes of Conduct the decision of the Election Commission shall be final and binding on all IAB members.

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Election Code of Conduct

  • Candidates shall not participate in the election as any panel, group or under the banner of any political party.

  • Candidate or IAB members shall refrain from making political statement of any kind in their election campaign;Candidates or IAB members shall not prepare or distribute printed/hard copies of written/leaflets, posters, cards, symbols, banners, buntings, posters or festoons etc. in support of or in opposition to any candidate other than the ones displayed by the Election Commission at the election venue on the day of the election; 

  • Candidates or IAB members shall not organize or hold any meeting, party or gathering to seek vote or canvass for any candidate other than the projection meeting that the Election Commission arranges;In case of online election process, the Election Commission shall arrange an online projection meeting for introducing the Candidates among the Members.

  • Candidates or IAB members shall not entice voters through promise of financial gains or otherwise to vote in favour of any candidate;

  • Candidates or IAB members may solicit votes through cell phones/telephones, emails, SMS or posting in any social media, but shall not make any comparative reference implied or otherwise to other candidates, their programs or activities;

  • No candidate or IAB member shall make any false or controversial statement or adverse comment on the character or integrity of any other candidate in soliciting votes;

  • Candidates shall send to Election Commission a soft copy of his/her Manifesto in format that the Election Commission prescribes for distribution through electronic media;

  • A candidate who is an incumbent Member of the Executive Council or Chapter Committee shall not organize any IAB event or function either as an anchor, speaker/presenter or otherwise after submitting the nomination.

  • In case of any complaint or on its own, subject to investigation and verification, the Election Commission shall have the power to summarily impose any of the following disciplinary action on the candidate or the IAB member based on graveness of the violation of the Election Code of Conduct:    

             1.  Reprimand;
             2.  Revoking the voting right in the election;
             3.  Cancellation of candidature in the election.

  • In case of any confusion or conflict in interpretation of these Codes of Conduct the decision of the Election Commission shall be final and binding on all IAB members.

Meet the Candidates: View the Meeting Videos

24th Executive Council
10th Chattogram Chapter


FAQs

Please click here to view the Voting Instruction Video


1.    What has changed in this year’s IAB election process and why online voting? 
In the midst of the global pandemic situation and IAB’s Constitutional obligation to conduct election by 1st week of December 2020, this term’s IAB Election cannot be organized in the usual manner. Considering the health and life-safety issues of all members, online voting has been introduced for this pandemic situation only.

To participate in the election process as Voter/Candidate, each regular member must update their mobile number and email address in IAB data base on or before 3rd November, 2020. Process of individual events like Nomination paper submission, Withdrawal of nomination, Projection meeting and Vote casting will be described in detail with samples on https://iab.pulselinks.com/iabelection2020 as per schedule.

2.    How can I vote online in the election? 
The on-line voting process will be very simple and easy to use.

On the Election Day a voting button will be prominently available on the election portal https://iab.pulselinks.com/iabelection2020 . Using this button you will be able to complete the ballot and cast your vote. In order to cast your vote, you will need access to the internet from a computer or from a mobile device (phone or tablet). You will also need your email address and mobile phone number as registered in the IAB database.

More instructions including screen shots and a short tutorial will be available on the election portal two days before the election date.

3.    Who can vote in the election? 
All members of the Final Voter List will be eligible to cast her/his vote.

Preliminary and final voter list will be published in two sequences as per schedule.   
After publishing the preliminary list, if a member is unable to find her/his name on the list, please submit an application at IAB office attaching the money receipt or any other proof. After verification of the complaint the final voter list will be published on 26th November, 2020 on the same link.

4.    When can I vote? 
Online voting process will remain open from 2 p.m. to 10 p.m. December 04, 2020 (Friday) to cast the vote.

5.    How can I get the nomination form/s?
Nomination submission procedure will be online this year; it will be open on 12th of November from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. The form will be available on this (https://iab.pulselinks.com/iabelection2020) link. 
Nominee, Proposer and Seconder can participate in the Nomination procedure after confirming their participation through OTP in a specified format.

6.    How shall I submit the nomination form/s?
The Nomination form will be available at https://iab.pulselinks.com/iabelection2020 on 12th of November from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.
Nominee, Proposer and Seconder can participate in the Nomination procedure after confirming their participation through OTP in a specified format. (See FAQ 7 for details)

7.    Do the candidate, proposer and seconder need to sit together to submit a nomination form?
As it is an online procedure it is not required to sit together. 
The Nominee, Proposer and Seconder can participate in the Nomination procedure completely on-line.
When the first person who starts a nomination form, completes and submits the form, the other two persons who are involved in the process will receive notification messages for their required actions via SMS/email. The completion of each process step is communicated to all concerned persons to ensure that everyone has a good understanding of the status of the nomination.

8.    Is it compulsory to submit a photograph during nomination form submission?
Yes. It is compulsory to upload the photograph of the nominee in the specified format.
The suggested image file size is 590x708 pixels (equivalent to passport photo sizes of 2.5cmx3cm). The recommended file size is approximately 1MB and files in png or jpg format can be uploaded.

9.    How can I be sure that my nomination paper is received by the election commission?
The submission of a nomination will be completed when all three concerned persons, the Proposer, the Seconder and the Candidate have completed their respective steps i.e. the first person needs to initiate the process by filling in the form and submitting it by entering the OTP that is sent for validation. The other two persons will receive notification messages that will allow them to open and accept their involvement in the nomination process. The candidate is also required to upload a photo as part of the nomination submission.

When the three persons have confirmed their roles in the nomination, the nomination will be automatically confirmed as submitted and a confirmation message will be sent to all three persons.

10.    Can I perform as proposer/ seconder/ candidate during nomination paper submission from abroad? 
Yes. You can participate in the nomination process from abroad, same as anyone located in Bangladesh. The only condition to being able to participate in this process is to have internet access and to be able to receive the OTP via either email or phone. If you are abroad and have a Bangladesh phone number registered with IAB in your membership data, you will need roaming available to receive SMS messages. If you don’t have roaming available on your phone then you can still receive the OTP by email and use this for the nomination submission.
The nomination process can be equally used as a proposer, seconder or a candidate.

11.    How can I list myself as a candidate for multiple positions?
In the Nomination Submission phase, if you are considering standing for multiple positions you will need to fill in and submit a separate form for each position. Please create a new form for each position by clicking on the Nomination creation link on the election Portal, completing the form and submitting it with OTP verification i.e. one new form and submission is required for each position.

In the Nomination Withdrawal phase, with a single OTP verification the candidate will be able to see all the nominations that she/he has submitted and will be able to withdraw from all or all but one of these.

12.    How can I withdraw my nomination? 
There will be an online withdrawal form available at https://iab.pulselinks.com/iabelection2020 from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. on 19th November 2020.

Only the Nominee can withdraw the nomination after confirming her/his participation through OTP in a specified format.

13.    Is it possible to know the list of candidates for all the posts before withdrawal of nomination paper? 
Yes. A preliminary List of candidates for all posts will be published at https://iab.pulselinks.com/iabelection2020 after closing of nomination paper submission.

14.    Can I withdraw my candidature from abroad? 
Yes, you will be able to participate in the nomination and nomination withdrawal process from abroad.

The only condition to being able to do a withdrawal is to have internet access and to be able to receive the OTP via either email or phone. If you are abroad and have a Bangladesh phone number registered with IAB in your membership data, you will need roaming available to receive SMS messages. If you don’t have roaming available on your phone then you can still receive the OTP by email and use this for the nomination withdrawal.

15.    Who can attend ‘Meet the candidates’ event & How?
Due to the pandemic situation this year the “Meet the candidate” Program will be arranged online. Eligible voters will be sent the link on 27th November, 2020 for the online program to be held on 28th November, 2020.

The recording of the candidate’s presentation will be available on 29th November, 2020 at https://iab.pulselinks.com/iabelection2020.

16.    Where can I find the Preliminary/ Final Voter List?
Preliminary Voter list will be published at https://iab.pulselinks.com/iabelection2020  on 19th November, 2020. A printed copy of it will also be displayed at Dhaka and Chattogram IAB premises.
If any member is unable to find her/his name in the list she/he can submit an application at IAB office attaching the money receipt or any other proof. After verification of the complaint the final voter list will be published on 26th November,2020 on the same link and on Dhaka and Chattogram IAB premises.

17.    I have cleared my membership dues after November 03, 2020. Can I vote?
No. In order to be eligible to cast your vote your dues must have been cleared by 3rd November 2020.

Preliminary and final voter list will be published in two sequences as per schedule.   
After publishing the preliminary list, if a member is unable to find her/his name on the list, please submit an application at IAB office attaching the money receipt or any other proof. After verification of the complaint the final voter list will be published on 26th November, 2020 on the same link.

18.    If I have a problem/complain regarding the candidate list how can I report it?
If any member has a problem/ complain regarding preliminary candidate list please email to: iabelectioncommission2020@gmail.com  on or before22nd November2020.

19.    Is there any alternative way (e.g. paper ballot, postal ballot etc.) of voting?
No. Considering the health and safety issue in this pandemic situation no alternative method other than online voting will be available for this year’s IAB Election. 

20.    Do I need special internet skills to cast my vote online? 
No. The online voting process will be very simple and all you need is access to the internet from your computer or mobile device. Instructions will be available on the IAB 2020 Election Portal https://iab.pulselinks.com/iabelection2020 two days before election day so that you can become familiar with the process.

21.    Is extra software needed to use this online voting system? 
You can cast your vote using any computer (Windows PC, or Apple) or a smart phone (IOS or Android) with a recent browser version and an internet connection. No special software is needed.

Please note that the OTP will be sent by SMS and by email to your registered contact details so you will need access to one of these channels.

22.    What equipment do I need to vote online? 
You only need the following to be able to vote online:
-    Internet access via a web browser on your computer or from your mobile device (phone or tablet)
-    Access to the mobile phone number or access to the email address that you have registered with IAB for receiving the one-time password (OTP)

23.    Do I need to download an app?
No. You don’t need an app for voting. Simply go to the IAB 2020 Election portal and click on the available button to be able to cast your vote.

24.    What operating systems are supported by this online voting? 
The voting system can be used from any recent Windows or Apple personal computers and from any recent IOS or Android devices.

25.    Is it possible to cast my vote through someone else?
No. The voter’s identity will be verified through sending OTP to her/his IAB enlisted personal mobile phone and/ or e-mail. So only the specific voter will be able to cast her/his vote once only. 

26.    Can I perform as a voter during online voting from abroad? 
Yes, you will be able to vote from abroad.
The only requirement is to have internet access and to be able to receive the OTP via either email or phone. If you are abroad and have a Bangladesh phone number registered with IAB in your membership data, you will need roaming available to receive SMS messages. If you don’t have roaming available on your phone then you can still receive the OTP by email and use this for the casting your vote.

27.    Do voters from Chattogram Chapter have to go through separate log-in for Council and Chapter election?
No. Voters from Chattogram Chapter can vote in both 24th Executive Council and 10th Chattogram Chapter Election by single log-in using their OTP once.

28.    Can I change my vote after it is submitted? 
No. Each member/fellow can vote only once. However in the process of voting the voter can see her/his completed ballot before final submission. Once submitted it cannot be changed. 

29.    How do I know that my online vote has been received by the system and correctly cast? 
When you complete your ballot and submit it, a confirmation message will be shown to you on the screen. In addition, an acknowledgement message will be sent to you at the IAB registered Mobile/Email Address.

30.    Is it possible for others to determine whom I voted for?
No. The voting process is completely anonymous and it is not possible to identify who has voted for whom. The anonymous voting processing is done in a way that even the providers of the voting solution cannot determine what votes were cast by which person.
The only information that is tracked is which member submitted their vote but the actual content of the ballot is not traceable to a particular voter.

31.    How is the counting of votes performed? 
The votes are automatically counted by the voting platform instantly on submission of each ballot. There is no human intervention in the counting solution so the data cannot be touched or altered manually by anyone.
The counting information is not available to anyone until the closure of the voting. Once the voting is closed, the election commission will convene, with the presence of an observer and will confirm to the voting platform solution provider to release the voting counts and ballots to the election commission.

32.    If there is any breach of code of conduct during campaign how can I report it?
If any member has a problem/ complain regarding breach of code of conduct during campaign please email to: iabelectioncommission2020@gmail.com

33.    Whom should I contact if I have any questions before Election Day?
For any further enquiry please email to: iabelectioncommission2020@gmail.com

34.    Whom should I contact if I have any difficulty during casting my vote?
IAB Election Commission will allocate a Hotline for the Election Day which will be published on the election portal (https://iab.pulselinks.com/iabelection2020) before election.