NO PROXY PRIVILEGE FOR EFA DELEGATES

EZULWINI – With elections just a few months away, delegates of the Eswatini Football Association (EFA) must be present to cast their votes.
Failure to attend the upcoming elective elections will disadvantage those who wish to support their preferred candidates for various positions. A proxy vote, which allows one delegate to vote on behalf of another, will not be permitted. Dr David Fani, representing the International Federation of Football Association (FIFA), has stated that the current statutes governing EFA delegates and their voting rights will remain unchanged for the time being. This matter will be revisited after the elective General Assembly scheduled for July next year.
Dr Fani facilitated a workshop aimed at clarifying the EFA statutes that delegates proposed to review during the ordinary general assembly held months ago at the Happy Valley Hotel in Ezulwini. Each of the EFA delegates was represented.

“I believe there are proposals for changes to be made. FIFA feels that further reflection on membership is necessary,” he remarked. According to Article 27 of the EFA Statutes, each delegate is entitled to one vote. The general assembly comprises 48 delegates, with six members from each EFA affiliate, including the Premier League of Eswatini (PLE), four regional associations, referees, coaches and the Women’s Football Association.

appointed

“Delegates must belong to the member they represent and be appointed or elected by the appropriate body of that member. They must also be able to provide evidence of this upon request. Each delegate has one vote in the general assembly. Only delegates present are entitled to vote. Attendance via video conference counts as presence, but voting by proxy or by letter is not allowed. When a general assembly is conducted via video conference, online voting is permitted,” the article states. Moreover, delegates will retain the option to vote using a list, as suggested by FIFA. However, each delegate is limited to voting for only one list, meaning all six members must agree on their preferred candidates for the elective positions.

List

If a member supports more than one list, none of its votes will be considered valid. For elections within the executive committee, a majority (more than 50 per cent) of valid votes cast is required for a list to be elected. If more than two lists are presented, the one with the fewest votes will be eliminated after each ballot until only two lists remain. EFA delegates also have the option to vote by position, as outlined in Article 31 of the EFA statutes. “In the event of a tied vote in any election, two new ballots will be conducted according to the procedures set forth in this article. If the tie persists, the relevant position will remain vacant until a new elective general assembly convenes to conduct new elections in accordance with these Statutes. Blank ballot papers, invalid votes, or electronically manipulated votes, as well as abstentions, will be disregarded when calculating the majority,” the article further explains.

In an interview, Dr Fani praised the EFA’s constitution, noting, “The standard of the constitution is comparable to that of other Southern African Development Community (SADC) nations. It simply requires some improvements.” As a former President of the Botswana Football Association (BFA), he reflected on the factors behind Botswana’s successful qualification for the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) on two occasions. “The development stage played a significant role. It is essential to understand that desired results are not achieved overnight. It took years for Botswana to reach its current level,” he concluded.

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