AGM Voting

[RJ]

It would appear from Article 26 that decisons/voting will only use proxy votes if the vote goes to a poll. Normally the vote will be taken by a show of hands.

Two consequences...

Firstly, you will have to be at the AGM to vote on the levy proposal, or if your proxy is with the Chair or another person it will only be used if the vote goes to a poll. Someone present at the meeting would have to call for a poll if the proxy votes were to be counted.

Secondly, the election of Directors, surely can't be determined at the AGM by counting and collating the various preferences of the people present at the AGM. It must surely involve all those people who send in their proxy votes.

Bit of an inconsistency. One system or the other please. Maybe needs a change in the Articles of Association for 2009. Democracy must be transparent and involve all members who wish to take part in the process, which must include those who are unable/unwilling to attend the AGM but take the trouble to complete a proxy voting form. If you want an involved membership then you have to allow them to get involved in the process; if they take the trouble to send in a proxy vote then it should be counted.

[LostAgain]

All proxy votes should be counted. I would hazard a guess and suggest that most of the votes cast will be proxy!

[Spookster]

It would appear from Article 26 that decisons/voting will only use proxy votes if the vote goes to a poll. Normally the vote will be taken by a show of hands.

My understanding is that that is true of any proposed resolutions, but not true for Director elections. Article 26 says "... the election of Directors ... shall be determined by a poll and by votes at the General Meeting." In accordance with Article 30 and the AGM papers, proxy votes are counted in the event of a poll, so proxy votes will be used for Director elections.