Test of IGLPI Election Code
Bro Jim Bantolo
December 3, 2007
In the IGLPI Second Grand Assembly, the Election and Appointments Code underwent its crucial test.
The IGLPI Legislative Council formulated an Elections and Appointments Code in consonance with the “injunction or rather emulation of who best can work and best agree” to ensure the highest standards of integrity, harmony and efficiency of all Member Lodges affiliated with and chartered under its jurisdiction.
The Council endeavored to find solutions to the disastrous issue of “electioneering” ; to preserve the concept of “lodge empowerment”; and to find a better method of nominating, and qualifying the most worthy and impeccable Nominee for higher positions.
Most important was the creation of Boards, Council, Panels and Tribunals which will be involved in the election process. These were:
1. Election Board is composed of five (5) members with a Chairman and responsible for the conduct of the election and implementation of the Election and Appointments Code.
2. Panel of Peers is composed of five (5) members chosen by draw lots from among the Past Masters of the each lodge, and who were chosen confidentially. It elects its Chairman, Vice Chairman and Recorder. The Panel evaluate, rate, tabulate and rank the Nominees for the position of Junior Grand Warden (JGW). A Standard Nomination Form for Nominees is submitted by the Lodge. The Panel accomplishes the Peer Evaluation Form. The highest five (5) Nominees are determined and the sealed Report is forwarded to the Council of Elders through the Election Board.
3. The Council of Elders is composed of seven (7) members with a Chairman and Vice Chairman. The Council evaluates, interviews, rates and ranks the Nominees for Junior Grand Warden. The highest final three (3) Nominees are determined and the sealed Report is read by the Chairman during the Election period and submitted to the Election Board. The Council of Elders meets, acts, and rules on any formal written violation of the Elections and Appointments Codes until it has read and submitted the final three (3) Nominees.
4. The Electoral Tribunal is immediately sworn into Office after the Council of Elders announced the final three (3) Nominees. The five (5) members with its Chairman, monitors the conduct of election. It meets, acts, and rules on any formal written violation of the Election and Appointments Code.
The Lodge in its Stated Meeting in September makes its Nomination for Junior Grand Warden. The Nominee may come from the Lodge or from other Lodges whom it deems is qualified, eligible and worthy of nomination. The Lodge accomplishes the Standard Nomination Form, encloses desired documents and submits it to the District Grand Supervisor.
The District Grand Supervisor, during the District Council Meeting of October, reviews the Nomination Form, checks its completeness and accuracy of information, and endorses the Report to the Panel of Peers through the Election Board.
The basic qualifications for an elective position in the Grand Lodge are: a member is in good standing for ten (10) consecutive years, a Past Master for five (5) years, no record of conviction in the government judicial court, no record of having been found guilty of disloyalty or violation of the IGLPI Constitution, no record of suspension for unmasonic conduct or any Masonic offense, no record of violations of any provision of the Codes or having committed any act or matter inimical to the Fraternity or in the opinion of the Grand Lodge is morally culpable.. Other qualifications for evaluations are: leadership qualities, management skills, human relations and knowledge of Freemasonry.
The qualified electors are: the six (6) incumbent elected Lodge officers, Immediate Lodge Past Master, the seven (7) elected Grand officers, the Regional Grand Deputies, the District Grand Supervisor.
The elected and installed Deputy Grand Master, Senior Grand Warden and Junior Grand Warden shall be considered nominated for the next higher position, unless they become ineligible. The incumbent Grand Treasurer, Grand Secretary and Grand Auditor shall be automatically nominated for the same positions, subject to confirmation by the Council of Elders, without prejudice to its consideration of other nominees.
Specific acts and collateral acts of electioneering have been very well defined.
In the event that there is only one (1) nomination for any elective position, any qualified voting member may move for his election without actual balloting, provided there is no objection.
The Nominees for JGW are allowed a five (5) minute talk prior to elections to highlight himself and his platform before the electors.
The Chairman, Council of Elders stressed the point that incumbent Grand Officers should not be confident of outright nomination or re-nomination. They should rather perform their duties, and responsibilities; and continue to be worthy of advancement; in order to avoid the possibilities of not being considered for nomination. The Council stressed that, the IGLPI being a young growing Grand Lodge should start right, be led and managed by impeccable leaders, seek for equitable distribution of positions if possible, review periodically the qualification standards for better evaluation and nomination. Ranking system may not be announced to avoid bias.
The Election and Appointments Codes indeed run its real test in the past months. Electioneering was negative. I am consoled with the evaluation that it indeed passed the real test. A few minor hitches may have to be looked into, particularly the schedule and sequence of events, the election period, the minimum number of Nominees for elective positions, better evaluation of records, its comparison with others, and rating discrimination. We should look forward when Nominees come from Lodges in other Provinces and the present process may have to be reviewed.
