The Theosophical Society (Adyar)

President Elections 2008

Voting Results and related documents

TS International Secretary notification
Voting Results
TS Executive Committee Declaration

PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION 2008

Under the authority of the Executive Committee of the Theosophical Society, I hereby certify that, in accordance with Rule 10 of the Rules and Regulations of the said Society, the Election Committee appointed by the Executive Committee counted the results of the voting communicated to the International Secretary by the General Secretaries of National Societies and Sections, Regional and Organizing Secretaries, Presidential Representatives and the votes of Lodges and Fellows-at-Large attached to Headquarters. The Executive Committee checked them and declared the result as follows:

Dr John Algeo 4,323 votes
Mrs Radha Burnier 8,560 votes

Mary Anderson
International Secretary

***

In accordance with the requirements of Rule 10 of the Rules and Regulations of The Theosophical Society and the results of the voting shown above, which have been checked by the Election Committee and the Executive Committee, Mrs Radha Burnier is hereby declared re- elected President of the Theosophical Society for a further term of office from 17 July 2008.

Mary Anderson
International Secretary

1 July 2008

TS Executive Committee Declaration

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Executive Committee, TS

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