Friendly Societies Act 1992

Postal ballots

8 (1) The rules of a friendly society or registered branch may provide for the voting—

(a) in an election of the committee of management or, where applicable, of the secretary, or

(b) on any resolution (whether special or not),

to be conducted in all, or in any particular, circumstances by postal ballot; and in this Act “ballot” or “postal ballot” in relation to an election or a resolution of the society or branch, means a postal ballot taking place by virtue of those rules.

(2) Where a postal ballot is to take place, the following provisions of this paragraph have effect.

(3) Notice of a postal ballot shall be given not less than 14 nor more than 56 days before the date which the society or branch specifies as the final date for the receipt of completed ballot papers (referred to in this paragraph as “the voting date”).

(4) Subject to the provisions of this Act, notice of a postal ballot shall be given to every member of the society or branch who would be entitled to vote in the election or on the resolution if the voting date for the election or the resolution fell on the date of the notice.

(5) Notice of a postal ballot—

(a) shall contain such other notices relating to the election or resolution; and

(b) shall be accompanied by such other documents,

as would be required to be given or sent to a member in connection with the election or resolution had it been intended to hold the election or vote on the resolution at a meeting instead of by postal ballot with the exception, however, of any notice relating to voting by proxy at a meeting.