ABU Constitution

ABU Constitution

CONSTITUTION OF ASIAN BLIND UNION

Existing Clause
Proposed amendment

Article-1

The name of the organisation shall be "ASIAN BLIND UNION" (ABU) representing all blind and visually impaired persons in Central Asia (Afghanistan, Kyrgyzstan, Turkmenistan, Tajikistan, and Uzbekistan), South Asia (Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Nepal, Pakistan, Sri Lanka and Maldives) and Middle East (Bahrain, Iran, Iraq, Jordan, Kuwait, Lebanon, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Syrian Arab Republic, United Arab Emirates and Yemen) through national member organizations Subject to changing the delimitations fixed by WBU from time to time.

ARTICLE-2 - STATUS:

ABU is a non-Governmental, non-religious, non-political and non-profit organisation having a regional character as the Regional Union of WBU.

ARTICLE-3 - LOCATION:

The Headquarters of ABU shall be located at such a place as may be decided by the Executive Committee (EXCO) of ABU from time to time - ordinarily at the place of the Secretariat of the Union.

ARTICLE-4 - DEFINITIONS:

In this Constitution, unless the context otherwise requires, the following expressions shall have the meanings hereby assigned to them:-

4.1 "Organisation" means an organisation of the blind or an organisation for the blind.

4.2 "Organisation of the blind" means a self-help body having a majority of blind persons as members, who have an important and decisive say in the decision-making process.

4.3 "Organisation for the blind" means a body having a majority of sighted members who have an important and decisive say in the decision-making process.

ARTICLE-5 - OFFICIAL LANGUAGE:

The official language of ABU shall be English, Arabic and Russian. However, the working language of ABU shall be English. It shall be open to the participating country/countries in any Sub-Regional or national events sponsored by ABU to transact the business or perform the activities in the language/languages agreed upon by the participating organisations. The English version of this Constitution shall be the juridical version.

ARTICLE-6 - LAW APPLICABLE:

In the event of any dispute, the provisions of this Constitution shall be interpreted according to the laws of Sri Lanka, where the Union is registered since 1999.

ARTICLE-7 - OBJECTIVES:

ABU shall work for the achievement of the following objectives:-

7.1 To work for the achievement of all the objectives set out in the Constitution of WBU, as well as all resolutions and policies adopted by the structures of WBU from time to time.

7.2 To keep contact with member organisations of the region.

7.3 To promote intra-country linkages among member organisations.

7.4 To promote better coordination and cooperation among organisations of and for the visually impaired.

7.5 To work for better policy framework in the countries of the region for ensuring equality and participation of visually impaired women and men alike in all sectors of life.

7.6 To act as a bridge between WBU and its members in the Region.

7.7 To strengthen self-advocacy initiatives in member- countries.

7.8 To work towards creating a gender balance both at organizational and national levels of member countries in the Region.

7.9 To do all acts for the achievement of the above objectives.

ARTICLE-8 - MEMBERSHIP AND ANNUAL MEMBERSHIP FEES:

All countries in the Region having membership of WBU shall automatically be the members of ABU Subject to fulfillment of other terms and conditions of membership.

8.1 ABU shall have the following classes of membership:-

8.1.a National members - Those countries which have been admitted to membership by the Executive Committee and which pay the membership fee to ABU.

8.1.b Honorary life members - Those persons deemed to have rendered long and outstanding international service in the Region to blind people and admitted by the General Assembly of ABU as honorary life members.

8.1.c Associate members - Any person, organization or foundation approved by the national delegation and paying the membership fee to ABU.

8.1.d Sponsored members - Upon payment of an annual membership fee to be determined from time to time by the Executive Committee, any profit and non-profit organization or foundation may be admitted as a sponsoring member of the Union. A representative of a sponsoring member may be eligible to serve on Committees other than the Executive Committee and Finance Committee in a consultative capacity only.

8.1.e Special members - Those countries which have been admitted with the approval of the Executive Committee of ABU to membership as special members and which pay the membership fee. Special members shall be those countries where there is no national organization of blind people. Each special member shall be expected actively to promote the establishment of a national organization of blind people in its country, and its membership shall be regularly reviewed by the Executive Committee. Members under this category shall consist of upto 50% of the total membership of the delegation.

8.1.f Regional members - Those regional organizations invited to become regional members and which pay the membership fee to ABU. To qualify for such membership, the organization shall be one which promotes and coordinates Substantial regional programmes of activities for the benefit of blind people or for the prevention of blindness.

8.2 The membership fees shall be payable to ABU within the first half of the year and any member organisation failing to honour this obligation shall have its rights and privileges suspended in ABU, which will include the right to vote, hold office or enjoy travel Subsidies, if any. Such suspension shall be revoked by Executive Committee on payment of arrears of membership fee.

ARTICLE-9 - COMPOSITION OF NATIONAL DELEGATION:

For the purpose of the General Assembly, the National delegation of each member country shall be so composed as to ensure gender balance. In order to progress towards gender balance, each national delegation having upto three delegates shall be required to allocate at least one seat to a blind woman and the same proportion shall be followed in larger delegations. Further, national delegation of each member country will be composed as under:

Each national member shall be entitled to two delegates to the Assembly if its population is below 20 million people, four delegates if its population is between 20 and 40 million people, six delegates if its population is between 40 and 100 million people, eight delegates if its population is between 100 and 250 million people, and ten delegates if its population exceeds 250 million people.

Any dispute with regard to the composition of national delegation will be decided by ABU.

ARTICLE-10 - GENERAL ASSEMBLY:

10.1 The General Assembly shall be the sovereign body of ABU.

10.2 It shall consist of national members, honorary life members, associate members, sponsored members, regional members, and special members present either in person or by proxy. However, associate and sponsored members may attend the Assembly in a consultative capacity without a right to vote.

10.3 The President of ABU may invite observers to the Assembly in consultation with the respective national delegations.

10.4 Only such national delegates shall be eligible to participate in the General Assembly as full members whose names are on the membership register maintained by the office of ABU two months prior to the Assembly and who have paid up-to-date membership fee unless there are sufficient reasons such as illness, death of a delegate or the admission of new member organisations.

10.5 Delegates unable to attend the General Assembly may give proxy in writing to his/her fellow national delegate and such proxy must be communicated to the Credentials Committee through the Secretary-General at least one month before the commencement of the General Assembly at which the proxy has to be exercised. Secretary-General, on receipt of any such proxy, shall circulate the same to the National delegation of the concerned member country and it shall be open to any of the concerned national delegate to question the validity of proxy given by any of the delegate/delegates from his/her country. The objection shall be given in writing to the Credentials Committee through the Secretary-General within a week of the receipt of the intimation about the proxy in question. The decision of the Credential Committee with regard to the proxies and objections related thereto shall be final and binding.

ARTICLE-11 - MEETINGS OF THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY:

11.1 There shall be one ordinary meeting of the General Assembly of ABU in every four years preceding the WBU General Assembly.

11.2 The Executive Committee, on receiving a requisition from at least seven delegates representing six different organisations drawn from six countries from all the three Sub-regions of ABU viz. Central Asia, South Asia and Middle East, may convene an extra-ordinary meeting of the General Assembly to transact only such business as is stated in the requisition and considered necessary to be deliberated upon by such meeting by the Executive Committee of ABU.

ARTICLE-12 - NOTICE FOR GENERAL ASSEMBLY:

The Secretary-General under the direction of the President, shall give written notice of 60 days for an ordinary meeting (quadrennial General Assembly) and an extra ordinary meeting of the General Assembly to all the registered national delegates, honorary life members, associate members, sponsored, special and regional members, setting out the date, venue and business to be transacted in such a meeting.

ARTICLE-13 - FUNCTIONS OF THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY:

13.1 The General Assembly shall have the following functions:-

13.1.a - It shall consider and decide upon all recommendations Submitted by the Executive Committee.

13.1.b - It shall receive and consider the report of the Executive Committee on its work and on the work of the Committees.

13.1.c - It shall consider the Treasurer's report and determine the budget of the Union.

13.1.d - It shall consider and decide upon any proposals from members of the union. Such proposals should ordinarily be presented to the Secretary General three months prior to the General Assembly and copies thereof should be circulated by him/her to all members one month prior to the Assembly.

13.1.e To implement the policies and programmes of WBU in the ABU Region.

13.1.f It shall be the duty of the General Assembly to elect one President, one Vice-President, one Secretary-General, one Treasurer, one Chairperson of ABU Women's Committee and six members of EXCO of ABU for a term of four years or till next elections. For the election of two members of the EXCO from each of the three Sub-Regions of Asian Blind Union, the members entitled to vote belonging to respective Sub-Region will elect their respective representatives.

13.1.g Transact such other business as is brought before it by the EXCO of ABU.
13.1.h Adopt amendments to this Constitution and any rules in accordance with this Constitution.

13.1.i Take a decision on the dissolution of ABU.

ARTICLE-14 - VOTING:

14.1 All National Delegates, Hony. life members, regional, and special members whose names are registered with ABU Secretariat two months prior to the meetings of the General Assembly as provided for under article 10.4 of this Constitution are entitled to vote.

14.2 Voting may be by acclaim (viva voice), by show of hands or by secret ballot. In the event of secret ballot, at least 20% of the delegates present and voting should demand for secret ballot. However, notwithstanding anything contained hereinabove, in the case of elections to the various offices of ABU, there will be voting by secret ballot. No delegate shall have more than one vote for himself/herself by virtue of belonging to other classes of membership.

14.3 In the event of a tie in voting on any motion, or notice thereof, the President or the presiding Officer in the meetings of General Assembly, EXCO and Officers, as well as Standing Committees, shall have the casting vote. In the case of a tie in an election to an office of ABU, there shall be a re-voting but in case even after the re-voting, there is a tie, then the matter shall be decided by draw of lots.

ARTICLE-15 - COMPOSITION OF THE EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE:

The EXCO of ABU shall consist of the President, Vice-President, Secretary-General, Treasurer, Chairperson of Women's Committee and two members from each of the three Sub-Regions viz. Central Asia, South Asia and Middle East.

ARTICLE-16 - TERM OF OFFICE:

16.1 All the Officers and the Chairpersons of Standing Committees of ABU shall have a term of four years.

16.2 No Officer or other EXCO members shall be entitled to hold the same office for more than two consecutive full terms.

16.3 All Officers and EXCO members other than the President may resign by Submitting their resignations to the President of ABU but in the case of the President, the resignation has to be Submitted to the Secretary-General of ABU. All such resignations shall take effect after 30 days of their receipt by the concerned Officer and shall be notified to all EXCO members immediately on receipt of such a resignation before its taking effect.

ARTICLE-17 - QUALIFICATIONS FOR OFFICERS AND EXCO MEMBERS:

The following shall not be eligible to hold any position, including the position of Chairpersons of any Standing Committee of ABU:

17.1 Any National Delegate and life member convicted of an offense involving moral turpitude.

17.2 Any National delegate having any civil obligation remaining undischarged towards WBU or ABU.

ARTICLE-18 - FILLING UP OF VACANCIES:

18.1 Any vacancy caused to any of the offices of ABU due to resignation, retirement from delegation or death shall be filled by the EXCO of ABU. Such vacancies may be filled even by a motion adopted through circulation.

18.2 In case of vacancy to the Presidency, the Vice-President shall automatically hold the office of President till such time the EXCO shall fill up the vacancy in accordance with the preceding clause.

18.3 It shall not be open to any member/members to requisition an extra-ordinary meeting of the General Assembly for discussing and filling up of any casual vacancy.

ARTICLE-19 - MEETINGS OF OFFICERS AND EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE:

19.1 EXCO of ABU shall meet at least once a year.

19.2 The Officers of ABU shall meet at least twice a year.

19.3 The meetings of the Officers and the EXCO of ABU shall be presided over by the President of ABU and in his/her absence, by the Vice-President of ABU.

19.4 The President of ABU may convene a special meeting of the EXCO on receiving a requisition from at least 5 EXCO members drawn from three countries in order to discuss any emergency/special issues having a serious bearing on the affairs of ABU.

19.5 The Secretary-General, under the direction of the President, shall give written notice of at least 45 days both for ordinary or special meetings of the EXCO stating the agenda, the date, venue and the business to be transacted in the said meeting.

ARTICLE-20 - QUORUM:

20.1 The quorum for all General Assembly meetings shall be one third of the total voting members drawn from at least five countries belonging to two Sub-regions according to the membership register maintained by the Secretariat of ABU two months prior to the assembly.

20.2 The quorum for any EXCO meeting of ABU shall have the presence of six members drawn from at least three countries.

20.3 The quorum for any meeting of Officers of ABU shall have the presence of three Officers.

ARTICLE-21 - FUNCTIONS OF EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE:

21.1 To fill up any vacancy for the remaining period of Officers of ABU caused due to resignation, retirement from delegation or death.

21.2 To admit members to ABU.

21.3 To determine from time to time as many Standing Committees as required for smooth functioning of ABU.

21.4 To elect from amongst its members and Officers three representatives to the EXCO of WBU ensuring representation of all Sub-Regions - Central Asia, South Asia and the Middle East.

21.5 To raise funds for activities of ABU and its various structures in accordance with Article 24.

21.6 To authorize Officers to operate bank accounts.

21.7 To appoint Chief Patron/Patrons in consultation with the concerned National member organisation(s).

21.8 To recommend amendments to these rules to the General Assembly of ABU.

21.9 To recommend dissolution of ABU to its General Assembly in terms of Article 28.

ARTICLE-22 - OFFICERS OF ABU AND THEIR DUTIES:

22.1 ABU shall have the following Officers who shall perform their duties in accordance with the policies laid down by the General Assembly and the EXCO of ABU:-

22.1.a One President
22.1.b One Vice-President
22.1.c One Secretary-General
22.1.d One Treasurer
22.1.e One Chairperson of Women's Committee

22.2 Duties of the President shall be:-

22.2.a Preside over the meetings of the General Assembly, the EXCO and the Officers of ABU.

22.2.b. Represent ABU in the meetings of the Officers of WBU and its EXCO.

22.2.c Issue directions to the Secretary-General from time to time to convene meetings of various structures of ABU.

22.2.d Guide and offer all necessary support to other Officers and Chairpersons of Standing Committees in the discharge of their respective duties.

22.2.e To participate in the work and meetings of all Standing Committees of ABU as ex-officio member.

22.3 Duties of the Vice-President shall be:-

22.3.a Assist the President in the discharge of his/her duties as stated above.

22.3.b Preside over meetings and discharge the duties of the President in his/her absence under the authorization of the President.

22.4 Duties of the Secretary-General shall be:

22.4.a Convene all meetings of all structures of ABU in accordance with this Constitution and the directives issued by the President of ABU from time to time.

22.4.b Maintain all records of ABU.

22.4.c Correspond on behalf of ABU to carry out its policies and programmes.

22.4.d Provide all necessary assistance to the Standing Committees of ABU to discharge their responsibilities.

22.4.e Present the reports of activities of ABU before the EXCO and the General Assembly of ABU.

22.4.f Participate in the work and meetings of all Standing Committees of ABU as ex-officio member, as and when necessary.

22.5 Duties of the Treasurer shall be:-

22.5.a Maintain the accounts of ABU.

22.5.b Open bank accounts along with President and Secretary-General in accordance with the resolutions passed by the EXCO, initiated by the Officers of ABU and circulated from time to time in this behalf.

22.5.c Operate the bank accounts along with President or Secretary-General in accordance with the resolutions passed by the EXCO, initiated by the Officers of ABU and circulated from time to time in this behalf.

22.5.d Receive money and raise funds in close cooperation with other Officers of ABU and member countries.

22.5.e To collect annual membership fees from member organisations and to keep the ABU Secretariat well informed about the position of the membership.

22.5.f Keep a proper inventory of all the properties and assets of ABU acquired from time to time.

22.5.g Get the accounts audited every year and present the same before the EXCO as well as before the General Assembly and also report to the Officers in their meetings about the financial status of ABU regularly.

22.5.h Present the estimated budget to the EXCO for its approval.

22.5.i Spend money in accordance with the approval of the Officers and EXCO of ABU.

22.6 Duties of the Chairperson of Women's Committee:-

22.6.a To convene meetings of the Women's Committee and to preside at such meetings.

22.6.b To plan and formulate programmes for empowerment of blind women in the region.

22.6.c To strive towards ensuring proper gender balance in the decision-making bodies of member organisations.

22.6.d To perform all such other duties and tasks assigned to the chairpersons of different Standing Committees of ABU insofar as the Women's Committee is concerned.

22.6.e To interact with other Committees of ABU to ensure that gender balance is maintained in all activities.

ARTICLE-23 - STANDING COMMITTEES:

23.1 ABU shall have as a part of its structure as many Standing Committees as may be determined by the EXCO from time to time.

23.2 The Officers of ABU shall appoint the Chairpersons of all Standing Committees (except that of Women Committee), and also nominate the members of these Standing Committees not exceeding three in each case and drawn as far as possible, from different countries for a term of four years and Chairpersons and members of such Committees shall be drawn from national delegates as far as possible.

23.3 While nominating as members to various Standing Committees one third representation of women and reasonable participation of youth shall be ensured.

23.4 Chairpersons of respective Standing Committees of ABU shall represent ABU at the parallel Standing Committees at the WBU level.

23.5 EXCO of ABU shall set up guidelines and terms of reference for the Standing Committees of ABU and the same shall be binding upon the respective Standing Committees.

23.6 The Chairpersons of Standing Committees shall perform the following duties:-

23.6.a Preside over meeting of their respective Standing Committees.

23.6.b To guide and direct the working of their respective Standing Committees in general.

23.6.c To coordinate the work of the respective Standing Committees with similar Standing Committees at the WBU level and also to seek the support of member countries at national levels in their endeavours.

23.6.d Present the reports of their respective Standing Committees to the Officers through the ABU Secretariat for presentation and consideration of EXCO and General Assembly of ABU.

23.6.e Keep and maintain the records of the deliberations of their respective Standing Committees.

23.6.f Perform all acts necessary to accomplish the tasks assigned to the respective Standing Committees

ARTICLE-24 - FUNDS:

24.1 The EXCO of ABU may raise funds for activities of ABU and the various structures in a manner which is not contrary to the laws of the country, where the fund raising is carried out and is not damaging to the dignity of the blind or the interest of member organisations. Such methods of fund raising may include grants, donations, bequests, properties and endowments.

24.2 Any funds or assets of ABU shall be dealt with in accordance with the decisions of the EXCO and General Assembly of ABU and would be spent only on the activities for which they have been raised.

24.3 For the purpose of accounting, the financial year of ABU shall be from 1st January to 31st December of every calendar year.

24.4 ABU shall have the dominion over all the properties and assets assigned or transferred to it by any organisation belonging to any country and the respective national member organisations or the Officers or the EXCO of ABU shall have no individual control and ownership in the assets or the property held by it/him/her on behalf of ABU under the authorization of the EXCO or the General Assembly of the ABU

ARTICLE-25 - MISCELLANEOUS:

25.1 Any document which is required to be executed by ABU shall be signed and executed on its behalf by the President, in the absence of any decision to the contrary by the EXCO of ABU.

25.2 The President or the authorized executant on behalf of ABU may delegate in writing the power of Execution of any document to other Officers of ABU, the power to execute any document in special circumstances provided that such a written delegation shall contain the special circumstances under which such a delegation has been made.

ARTICLE-26 - VALIDITY OF RESOLUTIONS:

26.1 All resolutions, unless provided otherwise in these rules shall be deemed valid if they are passed by a simple majority of members present and voting.

26.2 A circular resolution signed by a majority of EXCO members and Officers shall also, in all respects be as valid and binding as a resolution at the EXCO and Officers meeting and shall not be deemed invalid by reason of want of notice or any other cause whatsoever.

ARTICLE-27 - AMENDMENTS:

27.1 This Constitution may be amended upon a resolution for amendment being presented to the General Assembly of ABU by the EXCO and circulated among the national delegates along with the notice of at least 60 days prior to the meeting of the General Assembly where such amendments are proposed to be considered.

27.1.a Any amendment to this Constitution brought by 10 delegates drawn from at least five countries must be received by the Secretariat at least six months before the General Assembly for the consideration of the EXCO. The amendment after due consideration should be presented by the EXCO before the General Assembly with its detailed comments for approval.

27.2 Such a motion for amendments to the Constitution shall be adopted by a two-thirds majority of the registered voting members of the General Assembly present and voting which includes voting by proxy.

ARTICLE-28 - DISSOLUTION:

28.1 ABU may be dissolved at an ordinary meeting of the General Assembly upon a motion being presented to it in writing by at least ten members drawn from seven countries after the approval of the EXCO of ABU by a majority of two-thirds of the total membership of the EXCO and adopted by the General Assembly by the majority of three-quarters of the total membership of ABU.

28.2 Upon the dissolution of ABU, all assets, funds and properties as well as the liabilities shall be passed on to such an organisation including WBU as is provided for in the motion of dissolution after the acceptance of the concerned successor organisation. In the absence of any provision in the motion for dissolution, it shall be open to WBU, the parent body, to decide upon the fate of the assets, funds, properties and liabilities of ABU.

The name of the organisation shall be "ASIAN BLIND UNION" (ABU) representing all blind and partially sighted persons in Central Asia (Afghanistan, Kyrgyzstan, Turkmenistan, Tajikistan, and Uzbekistan), South Asia (Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Nepal, Pakistan, Sri Lanka and Maldives) and Middle East (Bahrain, Iran, Iraq, Jordan, Kuwait, Lebanon, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Syrian Arab Republic, United Arab Emirates and Yemen) through national member organizations Subject to changing the delimitations fixed by WBU from time to time.

No amendment

a) The term 'blindness' includes both blindness and partial sight and 'blind' includes persons who are blind or partially sighted. National Members shall be entitled by this Constitution to use their own national definition of blindness.

b) Organisation of blind people means an organisation representative of blind people in a particular country, having a majority of members consisting of blind persons ordinarily paying a membership fee, and having a governing body with a majority of blind persons, elected by the members at regular intervals. Any other organisation working in the field of blindness but which does not qualify to be an organisation of blind people shall be regarded, for the purpose of this constitution, as an organisation for blind people.

ARTICLE-5 - OFFICIAL LANGUAGE:

The official languages of ABU shall be English, Arabic and Russian. However, the working language of ABU shall be English. It shall be open to the participating country/countries in any Sub-Regional or national events sponsored by ABU to transact the business or perform the activities in the language/languages agreed upon by the participating organisations. The English version of this Constitution shall be the juridical version.

No amendment

ARTICLE-7 - OBJECTIVES:

7.1 ABU shall work towards the achievement of all the objectives set out in the WBU Constitution with an aim to promote implementation and monitoring of all international conventions, covenants and declarations for protection of the rights of persons with visual impairment in the region and towards this end, shall particularly work for the following:

7.2 To keep contact with member organizations for promoting better coordination and cooperation among organisations of and for visually impaired persons and to promote inter-country linkages in the region.

7.3 To work for better policy and legislative frame-work in the countries of the region to ensure equality of opportunity and full participation for visually impaired persons in all sectors of life.

7.4 To strengthen self-advocacy initiatives

7.5 To work towards creating a gender
balance, both at regional and national levels of member countries.

7.6 To work for the inclusion of blind and partially sighted persons in all initiatives undertaken by Governments of the region pursuant to international covenants, treaties and declarations both at different levels and for the protection of their human rights.

7.7 To do all other acts for the achievement of the above objectives.

ARTICLE-8 - MEMBERSHIP AND ANNUAL MEMBERSHIP FEES:

8.1 ABU shall have National members, grouped and special members, from the countries of the region and admitted by WBU.

8.1.a National members—Those countries which have been admitted to membership by the WBU and which pay the annual membership fee prescribed by WBU and ABU from time to time.

To be deleted

8.1.d to be deleted

8.1.e Special members - Those countries which have been admitted by the WBU as special members and which pay membership fee to ABU. Special members shall be those countries where there is no national organization of blind people. Each special member shall be expected actively to promote the establishment of a national organization of blind people in its country, and its membership shall be regularly reviewed by the Executive Committee. Members under this category shall consist of upto 50% of the total membership of the delegation.

8.1.f to be deleted

8.1.g Grouped members - Where in any of the three sub-regions (Central Asia, South Asia and Middle East) there are countries each with a general population of less than two million people and are already admitted by WBU as Grouped Members, the executive may, upon payment of the membership fee, accord them the status of grouped member with representation by the number of delegates to which the aggregate general population entitles them:
Provided that if at least one half of the organisations in the group would otherwise qualify as national members, the grouped member is a grouped national member and in any other case it is a grouped special member.

8.2 The membership fee shall be payable to ABU within the first half of the year failing which the officers may pass an order suspending the rights and privileges of such a defaulter member which will include the right to vote and enjoy travel subsidies, if any. Such an order of suspension shall be revoked by the officers on payment of arrears of membership fee by the defaulter member.

ARTICLE-9 - COMPOSITION OF NATIONAL DELEGATION:

9.1 At least one half of the delegates representing in a country on the Secretary-General’s list of delegates shall represent organizations of the blind.

9.2 For the purpose of the General Assembly, the National delegation of each member country shall be so composed as to ensure gender balance. It is recommended that half of the delegates from each National delegation should be drawn from female members.

9.3 If a country does not agree whether an organization should be treated as a recognized National organization of visually impaired persons, or on formation of its delegation to the Assembly, the dispute should be resolved in accordance with the provisions of WBU Constitution.

9.4 Each national member shall be entitled to two delegates to the Assembly if its population is below 20 million people, four delegates if its population is between 20 and 40 million people, six delegates if its population is between 40 and 100 million people, eight delegates if its population is between 100 and 250 million people, and ten delegates if its population exceeds 250 million people.

9.5 Each special member shall be entitled to one half of the delegates to the Assembly available to a national member with the same population.

9.6 Grouped members shall be entitled to the number of delegates to which the aggregate general population entitles to them.

ARTICLE-10 - GENERAL ASSEMBLY:

No amendment

10.2 It shall consist of National members, grouped and special members, officers (President, Vice President, Secretary-General, Treasurer, Chair, Women Committee and the immediate past President) present either in person or by proxy.

No amendment

10.4 Only such national delegates shall be eligible to participate in the General Assembly whose names are on the membership register maintained by the office of ABU two months prior to the Assembly and who have paid up-to-date membership fee unless there are sufficient reasons such as illness, death of a delegate or the admission of new member organisations.

10.5 Delegate unable to attend the General Assembly, may give proxy in writing to his/her fellow national delegate and such proxy must be communicated in writing duly signed by him/her and countersigned either by the president or Secretary-General of the National organization with office seal to which he/she belongs. It should be addressed to the Chair of the Credential Committee and be submitted to the Secretary-General before the opening of the General Assembly. Decision of the credential Committee in this regard shall be final.

ARTICLE-11 - MEETINGS OF THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY:

No amendment

11.2 The Executive Committee, on receiving a requisition from at least seven delegates representing three or more member countries from at least two sub-regions of ABU, the EXCO shall have to convene an extra-ordinary meeting of the General Assembly to transact only such business as is stated in the requisition.

ARTICLE-12 - NOTICE FOR GENERAL ASSEMBLY:

The Secretary General under the direction of the President shall give written notice of 60 days for an ordinary meeting (quadrennial General Assembly) and an extra-ordinary meeting of General Assembly to all the registered National delegates, special and grouped members setting out the date, venue and business to be transacted in such a meeting.

ARTICLE-13 - FUNCTIONS OF THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY:

No amendment

13.1.c. It shall consider the Treasurer’s report.

No amendment

May be deleted

13.1.e It shall be the duty of the General Assembly to elect one President, one Vice-President, one Secretary-General, one Treasurer, one Chairperson of ABU Women's Committee and six members of EXCO of ABU for a term of four years or till next elections. For the election of two members of the EXCO from each of the three Sub-Regions of Asian Blind Union, the members entitled to vote belonging to respective Sub-Region will elect their respective representatives.
It is recommended that one male and one female representative may constitute the two members of EXCO from each of the three sub-regions of ABU.

13.1.f Transact such other business as is brought before it by the EXCO of ABU.

13.1.g Adopt amendments to this Constitution and any rules in accordance with this Constitution.

13.1.h Take a decision on the dissolution of ABU.

ARTICLE-14 - VOTING:

14.1 All National Delegates, special and grouped members whose names are registered with ABU Secretariat two months prior to the meetings of the General Assembly and have paid up-to-date membership fee shall be entitled to voting. The officers of ABU shall have a status of delegate in their own right and be entitled to one vote each.

14.2 Voting may be by acclaim (viva voice), by show of hands or by secret ballot. In the event of secret ballot, at least 20% of the delegates present and voting should demand for secret ballot. However, notwithstanding anything contained hereinabove, in the case of elections to the various offices of ABU, there will be voting by secret ballot.

No amendment

ARTICLE-15 - COMPOSITION OF THE EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE:

The EXCO of ABU shall consist of the President, Vice-President, Secretary-General, Treasurer, Chairperson of Women's Committee, Immediate Past President and two members from each of the three Sub-Regions viz. Central Asia, South Asia and Middle East. The immediate Past President shall not serve on the Board of Officers for more than one term.

ARTICLE-16 - TERM OF OFFICE:

16.1 All the Officers, Executive members and the Chairpersons of standing committees of ABU shall have a term of four years or till the next ordinary General Assembly.

16.2 Apart from the President, all Officers and EXCO members are eligible for re-election without restrictions. President may hold office for two consecutive terms provided he/she is elected by the General Assembly to the position.

No amendment

ARTICLE-17 - QUALIFICATIONS FOR OFFICERS AND EXCO MEMBERS:

The following shall not be eligible to hold any position, including the position of Chairpersons of any Standing Committee of ABU:

17.1 Any National Delegate convicted of an offense involving moral turpitude.

No amendment

ARTICLE-18 - FILLING UP OF VACANCIES:

18.1 If a vacancy occurs among the officers elected by the Assembly, it shall be filled by the Executive if necessary by postal ballot. The vacancy of an EXCO member shall also be filled by the EXCO strictly adhering to its composition.

No amendment

ARTICLE-20 - QUORUM:

20.1 A quorum for General Assembly shall consist of a majority of members with voting rights.

No amendment

ARTICLE-21 - FUNCTIONS OF EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE:

21.1 To fill up any vacancy/s of officers and EXCO members for the remaining period.

21.2 To recommend membership of national, special and grouped members to the WBU.

21.4 To elect from amongst its members and officers three representatives and their deputies to the EXCO of WBU ensuring representation of all Sub-Regions - Central Asia, South Asia and the Middle East. While electing representatives to WBU it is recommended that gender balance should be maintained.

21.8 To recommend amendments to this Constitution to the General Assembly of ABU.

21.10 To implement policies and programmes of WBU in the region.

21.11 To consider and pass annual reports, accounts and the annual budget.

ARTICLE-22 - OFFICERS OF ABU AND THEIR DUTIES:

22.1 ABU shall have the following Officers who shall perform their duties in accordance with the policies laid down by the General Assembly and the EXCO of ABU:-

22.1.a One President
22.1.b One Vice-President
22.1.c One Secretary-General
22.1.d One Treasurer
22.1.e One Chairperson of Women's
Committee
22.1.f Immediate Past President.

22.2 Duties of the President shall be:-

No amendment

22.2.f To represent ABU in all regional international organizations including UN agencies and Human rights institutions.

No amendment

22.5 Duties of the Treasurer shall be:-

22.5.b. Open bank accounts along with other officers in accordance with the resolutions passed by the EXCO, initiated by the Officers of ABU and circulated from time to time in this behalf.

22.5.c Operate the bank accounts along with other officers in accordance with the resolutions passed by the EXCO, initiated by the Officers of ABU and circulated from time to time in this behalf.

No amendment

22.7 Duties of the Immediate Past President shall be to render advice and consultancy service to other officers as and when sought.

ARTICLE-23 - STANDING COMMITTEES:

No amendment

23.2 The Officers of ABU shall appoint the Chairpersons of all Standing Committees (except that of Women Committee), and also nominate members of all Standing Committees not exceeding three in each case and drawn as far as possible, from different countries for a term of four years or next ordinary General Assembly. Chairpersons and members of such Committees shall be drawn from membership of national member organizations.

No amendment

23.4 Names of Chairpersons of respective Standing Committees of ABU shall be recommended for inclusion in the parallel Standing Committees at the WBU.

23.5 The Officers of ABU shall set up guidelines and terms of reference for the Standing Committees of ABU and the same shall be binding upon the respective Standing Committees.

No amendment

ARTICLE-25 - MISCELLANEOUS:

25.1 Any document which is required to be executed by ABU shall ordinarily be signed and executed on its behalf by the President. However, in the exceptional circumstances, the President may delegate this power to any other officer or member of the Executive in writing and may also circulate such delegation to officers of the Union explaining special circumstances under which such delegation has been made.

No amendment

ARTICLE-26 - VALIDITY OF RESOLUTIONS:

26.1 All resolutions, unless provided otherwise in this Constitution shall be deemed valid if they are passed by a simple majority of members present and voting.

No amendment

ARTICLE-27 - AMENDMENTS:

27.1 This Constitution may be amended at any General Assembly, provided always that no less than two thirds of the votes cast are in favour of the proposed amendment.

Any proposal for an amendment shall be submitted either by the Executive or by two or more national, grouped or special members having the right to send in total at least seven delegates to the Assembly. Such proposal must be in writing and signed, in the case of submission by the Executive, by the Secretary-General, and in any other case by the delegates of the member countries submitting it.

27.1.a Any proposal for a constitutional amendment must be in the hands of the Secretary-General six months before the date of the Assembly at which it is to be discussed. The exact text of any such amendment, along with the names of those submitting it, must be circulated to all voting members at least six weeks prior to the meeting at which it shall be discussed. The President may accept minor alterations to the wording of a proposed amendment which do not alter the intention or sense of the amendment.

No amendment