(1) The superintendence, direction and control of the preparation of the electoral rolls for, and the conduct of, all elections to a society shall vest in the authority called as the “Co-operative Election Authority”, as may be constituted by the Administrator in that behalf.
(2) Every general election of the members of the Committee and election of the officebearers of a society including any casual vacancy, to the extent applicable, shall be held as per the procedure prescribed.
(3) The Co-operative Election Authority shall consist of a Co-operative Election Officer, appointed by the Administrator from officers of the Union territory who fulfills such qualification and experience as may be prescribed.
(4) The Administrator may appoint any employee of the Union territory, as a Secretary to the Co-operative Election Authority.
(5) The Administrator, after consultation with the Co-operative Election Officer, may provide the officers and employees for his office, to assist him in performing his functions under this Regulation.
(6) The Administrator may, when so requested by the Co-operative Election Officer, make available to the Co-operative Election Authority such staff as may be necessary for discharge of the functions conferred on the Co-operative Election Authority by subsection (1).
(7) Notwithstanding anything contained in any law for the time being in force, the election of the Committee of each society shall be conducted by the Co-operative Election Authority one month before the expiry of the term of the existing Committee so as to ensure that the newly elected members of the Committee assume office immediately on the expiry of the office of the members of the outgoing Committee.
(8) The Co-operative Election Authority shall hold the elections of the society or class of societies as per the procedure, guidelines and the manner, including using the latest technology and expertise, as may be prescribed:
Provided that the Administrator may, considering the objects of the society, class of societies, area of operation and norms of business and for proper management and interest of members, may by general or special order, classify the societies in such manner as may be prescribed.
(9) The Co-operative Election Authority shall conduct elections to the Committee and also to the office of President or Chairperson, Vice-President or Vice-Chairperson and such other office bearers as are required to be elected as per the bye-laws of the society, within fifteen days from the date of constitution of the Committee after a general election.
(10) There shall be an Election Fund maintained at level of the Co-operative Election Authority and every society shall deposit in advance, the estimated amount of expenditure on its election, as may be prescribed and required by the Co-operative Election Authority towards the Election Fund. The Co-operative Election Authority shall incur the necessary expenses, for the conduct of the elections of the societies, including the election of the office bearers, from the said Fund contributed by the concerned society.
(11) The expenses of the holding of any election, including the payment of travelling allowances, daily allowances and remuneration, if any, to the persons appointed to exercise the powers and perform the duties in respect of the election, shall be incurred from the said Fund and the expenditure shall be made in the manner prescribed and the Registrar, on requisition by the Co-operative Election Authority, shall recover expenses of holding election from any such society or class of societies as may be prescribed in the rules:
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Provided that if any society fails to pay the election expenses, the Registrar may issue the recovery certificate for recovery of the amount due and such amount shall be recovered as arrears of land revenue.
(12) The Committee of every co-operative society shall,—
(a) inform the Registrar of co-operative societies about the expiry of its term of office at least six months before the date of expiry of such term;
(b) inform any casual vacancy occurred in the Committee or its office bearers, within fifteen days of the occurrence of such vacancy;
(c) furnish such books, records and information as the Co-operative Election Authority may require as per the calendar specified by it; and
(d) provide all necessary help, assistance and co-operation for the smooth preparation of electoral rolls for the conduct of elections.
69. Where due to scarcity, drought, flood, fire or any other natural calamity or rainy season or any election programme, of the Council or House of the People or a local authority, coinciding with the election programme of any society or class of societies, in the opinion of the Administrator, it is not in the public interest to hold elections to any society or class of societies, the Administrator may, notwithstanding anything contained in this Regulation or the rules or bye-laws made thereunder, or any other law for the time being in force, for reasons to be recorded in writing, by general or special order, postpone the election of any society or class of societies, for a period not exceeding six months at a time, which period may further be extended so, however, that, the total period shall not exceed one year in the aggregate.
70. If a person is elected to more than one seat on the Committee then, unless within a period of seven days from the date of declaration of the result of the election he resigns all but one of the seats by writing under his hand addressed to the Election Officer, or as the case may be, the officer authorised by the Co-operative Election Authority in this regard, all the seats shall become vacant and on receipt of such resignation or on the seats becoming so vacant, the Election Officer, or as the case may be, the officer authorised by the Cooperative Election Authority in this regard shall cause to hold the election for filling the vacancy.