I. Introduction
The Bengali Cultural Society (BCS) is set to hold its inaugural election on December 14, 2024, to select an Executive Committee for the year 2025. The BCS membership has expressed keen interest in participating in this democratic process to ensure the selection of a competent and ethical leadership team. To uphold transparency and fairness, the Nomination Committee, in a November 26, 2024 email, has confirmed that voting will be conducted exclusively in-person by eligible members.
II. Background
Article VIII, Section 1 of the BCS Constitution explicitly grants every member of the association the right to vote. This provision does not stipulate the requirement to physically attend a General Body Meeting (GBM) at a specific location to exercise one's voting privilege.
III. Issue Statement
Members have requested the establishment of a process to ensure a free and fair election, including confidential ballots, to empower members to vote without fear and provide every participant a fair opportunity to shape the next Executive Committee. Considering the potential for inclement weather in the Cleveland area during the winter and the possibility of members being out of town due to prior commitments, there have been requests to incorporate absentee ballots and online voting, in addition to in-person voting, to accommodate all members in exercising their voting rights. Several esteemed BCS members have communicated these requests via email and phone calls, but the Nomination Committee has yet to respond.
IV. Call to Action
This petition formally requests the Nomination Committee to consider the following proposals:
- Absentee Voting: Allow BCS members to cast their votes in elections or for nominations without physically attending a polling location or event.
- Online Voting: Implement an online voting system to enable BCS members to participate in elections and nominations from any location, regardless of distance, work commitments, or health concerns.
While in-person voting has been previously mentioned in the November 26, 2024 email, we believe that offering additional voting options would enhance accessibility and inclusivity for all BCS members.
V. Support and Participation
We, your fellow BCS members, urge you to support increased voter participation by advocating for multiple voting methods in future elections. We believe that every eligible member's voice should be heard and that no one's vote should be suppressed by the nomination committee.
We implore all BCS members to join hands and sign this petition. By working together, we can effect positive change and build a brighter future for our organization.
Updates
December 7, 2024
The leadership is finally feeling the heat because this momentum proves they cannot keep ignoring our constitutional rights. Their attempt to suppress our votes through forced in-person attendance is failing because we are united against these backroom tactics.
Reached 100 supporters
December 7, 2024
47 Comments
I strongly feel that the committee in charge of conducting the election (in this case, the Nomination Committee) should have been proactive and taken meaningful steps to ensure that EVERYBODY is able to exercise their right to vote, accepting the options of absentee ballots and online voting. Isn’t it common sense that without those, it will be a clear and intentional case of voter suppression?
I am signing this petition from Mumbai, India. I have been a BCS member since 2020, If I am able to sign the petition from Mumbai, why can,t I vote online, secured. I support this petition
I want to exercise my right to vote as a member of BCS. The nomination committee is not responsive and is evading the real issue, i.e., to create a platform so that all BCS members can vote. I learned that the nomination committee chair took a stand that only in-person voting would be allowed. He did not consult the members. We all see an ulterior motive in this stand.
We will be travelling to India the day before. There is no way we can attend Holiday Party and cast our vote. We have been members for quite sometime now. It is our sincere request that please implement absentee voting/ online voting so that we can cast our votes. In today's world, where almost everything can be done online/ virtually, this option should be made available for the members so that even if anyone is in town and cannot attend the holiday party due to some conflicts can still cast their vote. Thank you! Best regards Amrita
BCS constitution clearly says to make a situation that every members will be able to excercise their votes. Nowhere it's mentioned that voting will be in person only. Inclusion of vote in absentia will not only help the members who will be out of town, but also for the long time members who might have their second thoughts to participate in person for possible bad weather.
Please allow for online voting option
I support online voting for more convenience
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I. Introduction
The Bengali Cultural Society (BCS) is set to hold its inaugural election on December 14, 2024, to select an Executive Committee for the year 2025. The BCS membership has expressed keen interest in participating in this democratic process to ensure the selection of a competent and ethical leadership team. To uphold transparency and fairness, the Nomination Committee, in a November 26, 2024 email, has confirmed that voting will be conducted exclusively in-person by eligible members.
II. Background
Article VIII, Section 1 of the BCS Constitution explicitly grants every member of the association the right to vote. This provision does not stipulate the requirement to physically attend a General Body Meeting (GBM) at a specific location to exercise one's voting privilege.
III. Issue Statement
Members have requested the establishment of a process to ensure a free and fair election, including confidential ballots, to empower members to vote without fear and provide every participant a fair opportunity to shape the next Executive Committee. Considering the potential for inclement weather in the Cleveland area during the winter and the possibility of members being out of town due to prior commitments, there have been requests to incorporate absentee ballots and online voting, in addition to in-person voting, to accommodate all members in exercising their voting rights. Several esteemed BCS members have communicated these requests via email and phone calls, but the Nomination Committee has yet to respond.
IV. Call to Action
This petition formally requests the Nomination Committee to consider the following proposals:
- Absentee Voting: Allow BCS members to cast their votes in elections or for nominations without physically attending a polling location or event.
- Online Voting: Implement an online voting system to enable BCS members to participate in elections and nominations from any location, regardless of distance, work commitments, or health concerns.
While in-person voting has been previously mentioned in the November 26, 2024 email, we believe that offering additional voting options would enhance accessibility and inclusivity for all BCS members.
V. Support and Participation
We, your fellow BCS members, urge you to support increased voter participation by advocating for multiple voting methods in future elections. We believe that every eligible member's voice should be heard and that no one's vote should be suppressed by the nomination committee.
We implore all BCS members to join hands and sign this petition. By working together, we can effect positive change and build a brighter future for our organization.
Updates
December 7, 2024
The leadership is finally feeling the heat because this momentum proves they cannot keep ignoring our constitutional rights. Their attempt to suppress our votes through forced in-person attendance is failing because we are united against these backroom tactics.
Reached 100 supporters
December 7, 2024
47 Comments
This is a carefully designed voter disenfranchisement scheme that our family strongly protests. The basic right of every due-paying member of any organization is to have a say in the election of its office-bearers. If after being a member for three decades we are denied this basic right through a power grab, it may not make any sense to continue being a member.
I strongly feel that the committee in charge of conducting the election (in this case, the Nomination Committee) should have been proactive and taken meaningful steps to ensure that EVERYBODY is able to exercise their right to vote, accepting the options of absentee ballots and online voting. Isn’t it common sense that without those, it will be a clear and intentional case of voter suppression?
I am signing this petition from Mumbai, India. I have been a BCS member since 2020, If I am able to sign the petition from Mumbai, why can,t I vote online, secured. I support this petition
I want to exercise my right to vote as a member of BCS. The nomination committee is not responsive and is evading the real issue, i.e., to create a platform so that all BCS members can vote. I learned that the nomination committee chair took a stand that only in-person voting would be allowed. He did not consult the members. We all see an ulterior motive in this stand.
We will be travelling to India the day before. There is no way we can attend Holiday Party and cast our vote. We have been members for quite sometime now. It is our sincere request that please implement absentee voting/ online voting so that we can cast our votes. In today's world, where almost everything can be done online/ virtually, this option should be made available for the members so that even if anyone is in town and cannot attend the holiday party due to some conflicts can still cast their vote. Thank you! Best regards Amrita
BCS constitution clearly says to make a situation that every members will be able to excercise their votes. Nowhere it's mentioned that voting will be in person only. Inclusion of vote in absentia will not only help the members who will be out of town, but also for the long time members who might have their second thoughts to participate in person for possible bad weather.
Please allow for online voting option
I support online voting for more convenience
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This is a carefully designed voter disenfranchisement scheme that our family strongly protests. The basic right of every due-paying member of any organization is to have a say in the election of its office-bearers. If after being a member for three decades we are denied this basic right through a power grab, it may not make any sense to continue being a member.