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PART III - COUNCIL AND ITS POWERS

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COUNCIL

There shall be a Council of the DUA which shall be the highest constitutional and governing body of the DUA. The Council shall meet once every calendar year unless the Executive Committee decides that due to extraordinary circumstances the meeting must be postponed. The meeting venue shall be decided by the Executive Committee.

Article 12: CONSTITUTION OF COUNCIL

Council shall consist of all office bearers elected and co-opted by members of the DUA, one representative from each of the members of the DUA, and one observer representative from the International Democrat Union.

Article 13: POWERS OF THE COUNCIL

1. elect and dismiss the office bearers, and hear appeals in terms of paragraph nine, part two.
2. elect honorary patrons;
3. consider the reports of the Executive Committee;
4. consider reports from members;
5. establish the objectives, policies and broader range of activities of the DUA;
6. vote on applications for membership;
7. consider amendments to this constitution;
8. transact such other business as may be brought before it by notice given to the Chairman of the Executive Committee at least twenty eight (28) days prior to the annual meeting of the Council;
9. transact such business as two thirds attending the meeting agree may be included on the agenda of the meeting without notice having been given in terms of paragraph 12.8 above;
10. to commission special committees, including a disciplinary committee of three persons, and an African Working Group on Foreign Affairs, and request reports from such committees.

PART IV- GENERAL MEETINGS

Article 14: ANNUAL GENERAL MEETINGS

The annual general meeting of the Council shall be convened by the Executive Committee and held once in each calendar year usually not later than 30 (thirty) days after the date fixed at the conclusion of the preceding annual general meeting.

Article 15: EXTRAORDINARY GENERAL MEETINGS

The Executive Committee may at any time call an extraordinary general meeting of members usually giving at least twenty eight (28) days notice specifying the object for which such a meeting is called.

Article 16: PROCEEDINGS AT GENERAL MEETING

1. The quorum for any general meeting of the Council shall be delegates representing a simple majority (50% +1) of the members who have paid their subscriptions.
2. The chair at all general meetings of the Council shall be taken by the Chairperson on the Executive Committee or, failing that person, one of the Vice-Chairpersons. Every question or motion submitted shall in the first instances be decided by a simple majority (50% +1) except where the constitution requires otherwise, a show of hands with the Chairperson of the meeting having a second or casting vote in a case of an equality of votes and unless a secret ballot be demanded by at least five (5) delegates of full members, a declaration by the Chairperson of the meeting as to the result of the voting shall be conclusive.
3. The election of office bearers at meetings of the Council shall be conducted by a secret ballot.