Constitution Loksatta

8/6/2019 Constitution Loksatta

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Lok Satta Party

PreambleIndian people have enjoyed, over thepast fifty six years, the fruits of aliberal and noble Constitution given tous by the generation that fought forfreedom. The foundations of ourdemocracy are strong and durable, andour liberties are genuine.

However, the bulk of the people stillsuffer from the burdens ofdiscrimination by birth and inadequateopportunities, and their potentialremains unfulfilled. Avoidable sufferingis the lot of the majority of our people.The young people, who todayconstitute a vast majority of India,have hardly any place in our publicaffairs. Our antiquated political culturedoes not suit the aspirations of the newgeneration, which is unburdened bythe baggage of the past, and is rearing

to conquer the future.Politics has increasingly become thepreserve of a new class ofentrepreneurs abusing public office forprivate gain. Excessive centralization,ineffective instruments of rule of law,marginalization of citizens ingovernance, autocratic political parties


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and unaccountable exercise of powerhave led to a perverse political cultureand pervasive corruption. In ourpower-centered politics womencontinue to be marginalized. Thedisadvantaged sections who need highquality and reliable public servicesmost, have no real power to determine

the priorities of government orimprove the outcomes. The middleclasses, who should constitute thevanguard of a democratic polity, areincreasingly alienated from thepolitical process.

The need of the hour is to foster anew political culture, and to create a

new political formation for the newgeneration. The new political cultureshould be founded in our own liberaltraditions and Constitutional values.These values should find expressionin a member-controlled, democratic,transparent political process. Theremust be a harmonious reconciliation

between the imperatives of rapideconomic growth, and the need forsocial justice and equal opportunitiesto all. Liberty and human dignityshould be preserved and promoted atall costs, and the citizen should be atthe heart of the political process inthe twenty-first century.


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In the twenty-first century we needto build a society completely free fromall forms of discrimination by birth,and all vestiges of the pernicious castesystem. All power should vest withthe citizen, and governance should bedecentralized and restructured, basedon the principles of citizen sovereignty

and subsidiarity. Corruption andprivate gain at public cost must bethings of the past, and all processesof governance should be transparentand accountable. The state needs tofocus on creating conditions for peaceand order, opportunities for fulfillinghuman potential and preventing

avoidable suffering, and wholesomeand sustainable economic growthcoupled with social justice. Politicsmust once again become a moralendeavour promoting humanhappiness and harmony.

It is with this vision and with a viewto rejuvenate our republic and

promote inclusive politics andreasoned public discourse that we,like-minded citizens of India, havedecided to come together and form anew political formation Lok SattaParty.


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Article I Name

The Party shall be named as LokSatta Party (herein after referred toas The Party).

Article II Aims and

Objectives

The aims and objectives of the Partyare:1. to establish a new political culture

which will place the citizen at thecentre of governance;

2. to protect the unity and integrityof India at all times, and create asecular and just republic in which

the citizen will be the truesovereign;

3. to nurture, protect, and promotethe constitutional values ofliberty, justice and equality for all;

4. to el iminate a ll forms of discrimination by birth, andguarantee dignity andopportunity to every single citizenirrespective of origin and status;and to promote social equalityand justice, and fully integrateall disadvantaged sectionsincluding dalits, adivasis andsocially and economicallybackward classes;


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5. to create a political, economic,and social environment which willensure equal opportunities forvertical mobility to all sections ofsociety, irrespective of caste,ethnicity, religion, or gender.

6. to ensure that every child,irrespective of her origins andsocio-economic position, hasreasonable access to qualityeducation which will provide anopportunity to fulfil her truepotential.

7. to build a viable and effectivehealthcare system which reachesevery man, woman, and child and

guarantees good health to all,irrespective of economic statusand birth;

8. to promote and implementpolicies aimed at rejuvenation ofIndian agriculture, andsubstantial enhancement of ruralincomes and improvement of

quality of life;9. to ensure that every young person

acquires adequate knowledge andskills to make her a productivepartner in wealth creation, andthereby promote gainfulemployment and economicopportunities;


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10. to ensure that every family ruralor urban gets access to basicamenities of l ife includinghousing, sanitation, andtransport, and opportunity forearning a decent livelihood;

11. to provide social security to thevast, underpaid, dispossessedunorganized sector workers;

12. to empower women and provideopportunities for their economic,social and political advancement;

13. to promote public awarenessabout democratic functioning ofall institutions of governance and

encourage reasoned debate andhealthy public discourse.

14. to establish a people-centricdemocratic polity based onliberty, self-governance,empowerment of citizens, rule oflaw, and self-correctinginstitutional mechanisms.

15. to work for fundamental political,electoral, and governancereforms listed below:

i. ef fective separation of legislature, executive, and judiciary at all levels withappropriate checks andbalances;


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ii. political reforms which makeelections truly democratic,representative, andtransparent; facilitate andpromote the participation ofmen and women of integrity inthe political process, and curbelectoral malpractices;

iii. effective empowerment of localgovernments at all levels in allrespects as participative tiers ofconstitutional, democraticgovernance with their ownlegislature and executive, in amanner that authority andaccountability fuse, and the link

between vote and public good,and taxes and services is fullyestablished;

iv. speedy, accessible, effective,and affordable justice at alllevels to all citizens, irrespectiveof means and station at birth;

v. insulate crime investigationfrom the vagaries of partisanpolitics, and to make policeeffective, citizen friendly,accountable, and just in allrespects;

vi. combat corruption and mis-governance through aninstitutional framework which


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will enhance transparency, andaccountability at all levels ofadministration;

ArticleII I Allegiance to

the Constitution

Lok Satta Party shall bear true faith

and allegiance to the Constitutionof India as by law established, andto the principles of socialism,secularism, and democracy, andwould uphold the sovereignty,unity, and integrity of India.

Article IV Flag and Logo

1. The Party flag shall also serveas the Party logo.

2. The flag shall be in the form ofa rectangle of dark blue colourand bearing a pure white circle,centered in which shall be a five-pointed star of the same colouras the Rectangle. The

dimensions, relative spatialarrangement, and colors of theflag shall be as prescribed.

3. The dark blue colour symbolizesthe vastness, depth and inclusivenature of the ocean, in which allstreams finally merge.


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4. The five-pointed, blue starsignifies that the Party sets itscourse by the twinkle of distantstar, and not by the lights ofpassing ships. The five cornersof the Star stand for the fivepillars of a true democracy: (i)liberty (2) self-governance (3)

citizen empowerment (4) rule oflaw and (5) self-correctinginstitutions.

5. The white colour of the circlestands for purity. The coloursymbolizes unity of purpose andaction amidst the diversity inreligion, region, caste, language

and beliefs.

Article V Membership

1. The Party shal l have twocategories of members:

- Primary Members

- Active Members

2. The General Council of the Partyhas the power to create othercategories of membership fromtime to time.

3. Theprimary membership of LokSatta Party is open toany Indiancitizen who has attained the ageof 18 years, and who abides by

the Partys constitution.


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4. Any individual who has a priorrecord of indulging in criminal,corrupt, and/or morallyreprehensible behaviour will notbe eligible to be a member of LokSatta.

5. In addition to meeting the criteriafor a primary member, an activemember shall satisfy the criteriaprescribed for activemembership.

6. Primary and Active members ofthe Party shall pay the prescribedmembership fee.

7. The enrollment and renewal of

membership shall be by theprocedure prescribed.

8. Both pr imary and activemembership shall be ordinarilyvalid for a period of 3 years fromthe date of enrollment. However,the renewal of membership shallbe made in an election year

before a date specified by theParty, irrespective of the date ofenrollment.


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Article VI Organizational

Structure

The Party shall have a 5-tierorganizational structure comprising ofthe following units:

1. Primary unit for the vi l lagepanchayat, municipal ward, citycorporation division, or other suchlevels as the Party may prescribe.

2. Intermediate unit at theintermediate panchayat,municipality, municipalcorporation, or other such levelsas the Party may prescribe.

3. District Unit at the district, or othersuch levels as the Party mayprescribe.

4. State Unit at the state, unionterritory or such other levels as theParty may prescribe.

5. National Party at the national level.

Note: Party members representing

Professionals, women, youth,students, and other similar groupsmay form separate units at theprimary and intermediate levels.


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Article VII Party Elections

1. All elections within the Partyshall be through a system ofSingle Transferable Vote (STV),and preferential voting system,as prescribed.

2. All elections shall be by a secretballot.

3. The eligibility criteria to vote inthe Party elections shall be asprescribed.

Article VII I Leadership and

Office Bearers

1.There shall be a Coordinator andSecretary at all levels of the Party.

2. The Coordinator for primary unitsshall be directly elected by allmembers of the Party at thatlevel. At all other levels, the

Coordinator shall be directlyelected by all active members ofthe Party at the respective level.

3. The elected Coordinator shallfunction as the chief executive ofthe Party unit at that level.

4. At the primary and intermediatelevels, the Secretary and


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Assistant Secretaries shall beelected by the General Council, asprescribed.

5. At the district level, the Secretary,Treasurer and other office bearersshall be elected by the GeneralCouncil, as prescribed.

6. At the state and national levels,the Secretary, Treasurer and otheroffice bearers shall be appointedby the Coordinator, as prescribed.

7. There may be various categoriesof office bearers, whose title,numeric strength, andresponsibilities shall be as

prescribed.8. Unless otherwise specified, the

term of all office bearers for allorgans of the Party shall be 3years.

9. Party units representingprofessionals, women, youth,students, and other such groups,

if any, shall have an electedConvener.


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Article IX Party Organs

1. To assist in its functioning, theParty shall have the followingorgans at all levels:

General Council

Working Committee

Executive Committee

2. The Coordinator shall be the chairperson and chief executive for allParty organs at that level.

3. Members of the Party elected tovarious legislative bodies such asstate legislatures, local

governments, and Parliament,may form legislative committees,which shall function under theworking committees at therespective Party levels.

Article X Primary Units

1. In addition to the Coordinator and

Secretary, the Primary units shallhave one or more AssistantSecretaries, or other similar officebearers if any, as prescribed.

2. All office bearers shall constitutethe Working Committee, which


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also functions as the ExecutiveCommittee at the primary level.

3. The total number of office bearersshall not be less than 3 at theprimary level, and no more thanthe maximum strength prescribed.

4. At the primary level, one assistant

secretary may be entrusted withthe financial responsibilities of the

unit.

Article XI I n t e r m e d i a t e

Units

1. In addition to the Coordinator andSecretary, the Intermediate units

shall have one or more AssistantSecretaries, or other similar officebearers if any, as prescribed.

2. The total number of office bearersshall not be less than 5 at theintermediate level, and no morethan the maximum strengthprescribed.

3. At the intermediate level, oneassistant secretary may beentrusted with the financialresponsibilities of the unit.


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Article XII District Units

1. In addition to the Coordinator andSecretary, the District units shallhave a Treasurer, and other officebearers if any, as prescribed.

2. There shall be an elected districtworking committee with not less

than 9 members, and not morethan the maximum strengthprescribed.

3. The District Coordinator shall beempowered to assign variousresponsibilities to the members of

the district working committee.

Article XII I State Units1. There shall be an elected state

working committee with not lessthan 15 members, and not morethan the maximum strengthprescribed.

2. The State Coordinator shal lappoint a State Secretary, StateTreasurer, and other office bearersas required from the members ofthe state working committee.

3. The State Coordinator shall beempowered to assign variousresponsibilities to the members ofthe state working committee.


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Article XIV National Party

1. There shall be an elected national

working committee with not less

than 21 members, and not more

than the maximum strength

prescribed.

2. The National Coordinator shallappoint a National Secretary,

National Treasurer, and other office

bearers as required from the

members of the national working

committee.

3. The National Coordinator shall be

empowered to assign various

responsibilities to the members of

the national working committee.

4. Until such time that the Party has

more than one state unit, the state

unit of Andhra Pradesh shall

function as the National Party.

Article XV General Council

1. General Council is the general body

of the Party, and shall be

constituted at all levels with ex-

officio, elected, and co-opted

members as prescribed.


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2. The Genera l Counc il at theprimary level shall be constitutedwith elected members only.

3. In constituting the General Councilat various levels, the Party shallhave the right to apportionappropriate weightage to unitsfrom different municipal

corporations and other suchlevels, regions, states, and unionterritories, based on factors suchas strength of membership, andnumber of electedrepresentatives.

4. The General Council or the officebearers authorized on its behalf

shall have the authority to takedecisions on behalf of the Party.

5. The Genera l Counc il at theprimary and intermediate levelsshall elect all office bearersexcepting Coordinator, for therespective Party units, asprescribed.

6. The General Council at the district,state, and national levels shallelect the working committees atthe respective levels, asprescribed.

7. Only the ex-officio and electedmembers of the General Councilshall have the right to vote in

electing office bearers.


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Article XVI Working

committee

1. At the primary and intermediatelevels, a Working Committee shallbe constituted with all electedoffice bearers at the respectivelevels, as prescribed.

2. At the district, state, and nationallevels, a Working Committee shallbe constituted with theCoordinator, and members electedby the respective GeneralCouncils, as prescribed.

3. The National General Council shallprescribe the strength and themanner in which State WorkingCommittees will be constituted.

4. The State General Council shallprescribe the strength, and themanner in which WorkingCommittees for all levels withinthe state will be constituted.

5. The Working Committee shall beresponsible for the day-to-dayfunctioning of the Party.

6. The Working Committee at thedistrict level shall have theauthority to constitute subcommittees to assist them in theirfunctioning. The Working

Committee shall decide the


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composition of the sub committee,and the manner in which they willfunction.

Article XVII E x e c u t i v e

Committee

1. There shall be an Executive

Committee constituted at all levelsof the Party excepting the primarylevel, with office bearers at thatlevel, and the Coordinators of theimmediately next lower level Partyunits.

2. The Executive Committee shall beresponsible for implementation of

policies framed by the GeneralCouncil.

Article XVII I Co-Option

1. Excepting at the Primary level, theGeneral Council of the Party at allother levels shall have the right toco-opt a certain number or

percentage of their totalmembership, as prescribed.

2. The co-opted members may bechosen from among the activemembers of the Party.

3. Co-opted members shall not havea right to vote, but will have theeligibility to contest for any office.


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4. Co-opted members who areappointed as office bearers shallhave voting rights.

Article XIX Filling Vacancies

If for any reason, a vacancy arisesfor any elected office at any levelof the Party, the Electoral Authorityshall fill the vacancy only for theremainder of that term, asprescribed.

Article XX Powers of the

Coordinator

The Coordinator:

1. at all levels shall have substantialpowers in discharging his dutiesas the chief executive of the Partyunit.

2. at all levels shall have the powerto assign specific responsibilitiesto office bearers, and members of

the working committee.3. at all levels shall have the deciding

vote in case of a tie.

4. at state, and national levels shallhave the power to appoint anyindividual to assist in thefunctioning of the Party.


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5. at state, and national levels shallhave the right to propose andrecommend any major policy,subject to the ratification of theGeneral Council.

6. at state, and national levels, shallhave the right to constitute sub

committees from members electedto the general council at therespective levels, or others, toassist in the functioning of Party.

7. at state, and national levels shallhave the right to suspend any Partymember for breach of discipline,until such time that the Disciplinary

Authority conducts disciplinaryproceedings. From time to time, ifnecessary, the Coordinator maydelegate this power to the nextlower level.

Article XXI E l e c t o r a lAuthority

1. An autonomous Electoral Authorityshall be constituted as prescribed.

2. The eligibility criteria for becominga member of the ElectoralAuthority and the term of themembers and/or office bearers ofthe Electoral Authority shall be asprescribed.


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3. The Electoral Authority may havechapters at different levels of the

Party to assist in its functioning.

4. The Electoral Authority shall:

a. oversee the process of enrollment of members;

b. maintain the membership rolls at

various levels of the Party;

c. conduct internal Party electionsat all levels of the Party, asprescribed;

d. conduct primary elections if any,for selecting Party candidates forelective office;

e. conduct elections to fi ll anyvacancies that arise at any levelof the Party;

f. conduct a recal l e lect ion, i f warranted;

g. receive any complaints in respectof membership enrollment, andconduct of elections, and forward

the same to the disciplinaryauthority at that level. Based onthe recommendations of thedisciplinary committee, it shalltake an appropriate decision forthe disposal of the complaints,which shall be implemented bythe Party units at that level;


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5. If there is a dispute over anelection at any level, an appealshall lie to the Electoral Authorityat the next higher level. If thedispute is at the National level, inexceptional circumstances, anappeal shall lie to a Committeeconstituted by the National

Coordinator.

6. If there is a dispute over theelection of the NationalCoordinator, an appeal shall lie toa committee constituted by theNational General Council.

Article XXII E l e c t o r a l

College1. All Party members at the primary

level shall constitute the ElectoralCollege for electing theCoordinator and General Councilat that level.

2. At all other levels, active membersof the Party at that level shallconstitute the Electoral College,for electing the Coordinator at thatlevel.

3. The ex-off icio and electedmembers of the General Councilat all levels shall constitute theElectoral College, for electing theoffice bearers at that level.


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Article XXII I Selection of

Candidates

Selection of Party candidates for

local, state, national legislatures,and other elective bodies shall bethrough a democratic process, as

prescribed.

Article XXIV M ot i on to

Challenge and Recall

1. There shall be a provision tochallenge and recall theCoordinator at all levels of the

Party, as prescribed.2. There shall be a provision to

challenge and unseat any officebearer at all levels of the Party,as prescribed.

Article XXV Gender and

Social Equity

1. The Party shall endeavour toensure equitable and fairrepresentation to women at alllevels.

2. The Party shall endeavour toensure equitable and fairrepresentation to traditionally


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weaker and marginalized sectionsof society such as BCs/SCs/STs/other minorities, at all levels.

3. The Party shall adopt a proactiveaffirmative action based approachto ensure gender and socialequity, as prescribed.

Article XXVI Discipline1. An autonomous Discipl inary

Authority shall be constituted asprescribed;

2. The Disciplinary Authority shallframe the procedure forconducting disciplinary andappeal proceedings;

3. The Disciplinary Authority mayhave chapters at different levelsof the Party to assist in itsfunctioning;

4. Unfettered freedom of expressionon all policy issues within thecouncils of the Party, and internal

democracy shall be protected.5. The Disciplinary Authority shall:

a. receive and invest igatecomplaints received against anymember, active member, or officebearer of the Party, andrecommend appropriatedisciplinary action.


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b. take suo moto cognizance of anynews or information against anymember, active member, oroffice bearer of the Party, andconduct appropriateinvestigation;

c. invest igate the complaintsforwarded by the Party electoral

authority, and forward a reportto it;

d. reject any complaints onappropriate grounds, which shallbe communicated to thecomplainant in writing;

e. dispose al l disc ipl inaryproceedings with in the time

frame prescribed;f. provide an opportunity for one

appeal to the next level of theDisciplinary Authority;

6. In exceptional circumstances,there may be a final appeal to acommittee constituted by theNational Coordinator.

7. The Disciplinary Authority shallhave the power to impose thefollowing penalties:

a. Suspension of membership

b. Change in the membersh ipcategory

c. Removal from office

d. Expulsion from the Party


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Article XXVII R es ou rce s

and Accounts

1. The Party units at all levels shallmaintain a bank account.

2. The Coordinator of the unit shalldesignate an office bearer(s) tooperate the account on behalf ofthe Party unit.

3. Donations to the Party andmembership fee should be dulyacknowledged by a receipt.

4. All donations above the limitprescribed by the Party shall bereceived only in the form of acheque.

5. Annual statement of accountsshould be maintained at alllevels, and should be submittedto the General Council afterratification by the executivecommittee,.

6. At the district, state and nationallevels, the treasurer should

submit an audited statement ofaccounts ratified by the executivecommittee, to the GeneralCouncil.


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Article XXVI II Ru l e s and

Regulations

1. The National General Councilshall be empowered to create andamend appropriate rules andregulations for better functioningof the Party, by a simple majority.

2. The National General Council shallhave the power to frameappropriate code of conduct for allmembers and office bearers of theParty.

Article XXVIV

Amendmen t s t o t he

Constitution

1. Any amendments to the PartyConstitution shall be made withthe approval of two-thirds of totaldelegates, and not less than

three-fourths of delegates presentand voting at the National GeneralCouncil.

2. Notice of intent to propose anyamendments to the PartyConstitution should be given atleast 30 days before the scheduledmeeting of the National General

Council.


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Article XXX M erge r o r

Dissolution

1. A requisition meeting of theNational General Council shall beconvened with 30 days advancenotice.

2. A resolution should be approvedby two-thirds of the totaldelegates, or three-fourths of thedelegates present at a speciallyconvened meeting of the NationalGeneral Council.

3. 51 % of the active members ofthe Party should approve theresolution through a ballot.

Article XXXI Sta tu to ryMeetings

The various organs of the Party

shall meet regularly, asprescribed.

Article XXXI I Requisitionand Emergency Meetings

There shall be a provision forconvening Requisition andEmergency meetings of variousorgans of the Party, as prescribed.


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Article XXXIII Quorum

1. 1/3 of the total membership shallconstitute the quorum for theGeneral Council at all levels of theParty.

2. 51 % of the total membershipshall constitute the quorum forthe Executive and WorkingCommittees at all levels of theParty.


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LOK SATTA PARTYORGANISATIONAL STRUCTURE

Al lMembers

All Active

Members inIntermediate

level

All Active

Members inDistrict

All ActiveMembers in

State

Secretary

Asst.Secretaries

Secretary

Working/

Executive

Committee

Asst.Secretaries

NationalGeneralCouncil

NationalCoordinator

SecretaryWorkingCommittee

National Executive

Working Committee+ All StateCoordinators

All Active

Members ofthe Party

Treasurer

State NationalCoordinator


State Executive

Tr easurer

Working Committee+ All

State Coordinators

WorkingCommittee

Intermediate UnitCoordinator

Intermediate Unit ExecutiveWorki ng Committee+All Primary

Units' Coordinators

Primary UnitCoordinator

StateGeneralCouncil

DistrictGeneralCouncil

Intermediate

GeneralCouncil

PrimaryGeneralCouncil

National

DisciplinaryAuthority

State

Disciplinary

Authority

DistrictDisciplinary

Authority

IntermediateDisciplinary

Authority

State

ElectoralAuthority

DistrictElectoral

Authority

IntermediateElectoral

Authority

National

Electoral

Authority

Appendix I Organization Chart

District NationalCoordinator


District Executive

Tr easurer

Working Committee+ All

intermediate Coordinators


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Rules & Regulations(Article IV)

1. Dimensions and Colors ofParty Flag

Dimensionsi. The ratio between the length

(longer side) and the breadth

(shorter side) of the Rectangle inthe Lok Satta Party Flag and Logoshall be two-thirds, irrespectiveof the overall dimensions. Thisrectangle shall be of dark bluecolour, as prescribed.

ii. The white circle shall overlay thedark blue rectangle and shall have

a diameter of 76% of the breadth(shorter side) of the rectangle.

iii. The five-pointed, blue star shallbe symmetric all round, and shalllie entirely within the white Circle.When measured from the center,the corners of the star shall lie at87% half of the diameter of the

circle.Relative Spatial Arrangement

iv. The white circle is centered, bothvertically and horizontally, insidethe rectangle.


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v. The five-pointed, blue star iscentered, both vertically andhorizontally, inside the Rectangle.

Colours:

vi. The dark blue colour of theRectangle and the five-pointedstar is the result of mixing of

standard colours of cyan andmagenta, in the ratio of 89% and70%, respectively.

vii. The pure white colour of the circleis obtained by combining, in equalmeasure, all colours of thespectrum.

(Article V)

2. Membership EnrollmentProcedure

i. Any individual aspiring to becomea primary or active member shouldcomplete the prescribed applicationform, and apply for enrollment tothe Party Electoral Authority, or aperson designated by the Electoral

Authority.ii. The Party Electoral Authority, or

designated person shall notify anddisplay the application forms ofaspiring members at its local office,within 7 days of receiving dulycompleted and signed applicationforms.


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iii.Any objections against aspiringmembers may be submitted byexisting members in writing, withinone month from the date ofnotification.

iv.Any complaints received against anyaspiring member will be forwarded

to the Party Disciplinary Authority.v. In the absence of any objections

from existing members, theapplicant will become a member ofthe Party at the expiry of the 30day period from the date ofnotification.

vi.The recommendation of the Party

Disciplinary Authority will be takeninto account by the Party ElectoralAuthority in accepting or rejectingan application for membership.

vii.The reasons for rejecting theapplication for membership shouldbe communicated in writing to theapplicant.

viii.The Electoral Authority shallmaintain a Register of members atall levels. A copy of the MembershipRegister shall be made available toall Party units.


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(Article V)3. Membership Feei. The membership fee for a primary

member will be Rs.25.

ii. The membership fees for an activemember will be Rs. 25, in additionto the annual donation prescribedby rule 5 (ii).

(Article V)4. P r o ce du re f or R en ew a l of

Membershipi. Primary membersh ip can be

renewed every 3 years, bysubmitting the completed renewalform and paying the membershipfee of Rs. 25.

ii. Act ive membership can berenewed every 3 years, bysubmitting the completed renewalform, along with proof of havingmet the criteria prescribed in rule5, and paying the membership feeof Rs. 25, and the donationprescribed by rule 5 (ii).

(Article V)5. Elig ibi l ity Cr i ter ia for Act ive

Members: Anyindividual aspiringto become an active member of theParty should meet the eligibilitycriteria prescribed below:

i. Should be able to complete andsubmit the membership


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application form in his own handwriting.

ii. Shall donate annually a part of hisincome to the Party, as prescribedbelow:

- Rs. 50 for members whoseannual income is less than Rs.

50,000- Rs. 100 for members whose

annual income is more than Rs.50,000 and less than Rs.1,00,000.

- Rs. 300 for members whoseannual income is more than Rs.1,00,000 and less than Rs.

2,00,000.- for members whose annual

income is more than Rs.2,00,000, 0.5% of the annualincome.

- for members whose annualincome is more than Rs.5,00,000, 1.0% of the annual

income.

iii. Should subscribe to the Partymagazine/newspaper.

iv. Should either takeresponsibility for a specific Partyactivity, or participate in anactivity suggested by the Party.


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v. Should undergo the prescribedtraining for active members.

vi.Should follow the code ofconduct prescribed.

vii. Should fulfil such other criteriaas prescribed from time to time.

(Article XXVII I)

6. Code of Conduct for ActiveMembers

All active members of Lok Satta shallabide by the code of conductprescribed below.

i . Act i v e M em b er s o f Lo k Sat t a

sha l l no t

a. discriminate against any one onthe basis of caste, religion,region, and gender.

b. make any personalrecommendations of any natureon behalf of the Party.

c. aspire to profit from any activityusing the Party and the office.

d. indulge in any electoralmalpractices such as bribingvoters with money, liquor or anyother such similar means.

e. indulge in any behaviour whichwill encourage groupism, andnepotism.

f. indulge in any personality based

politics.


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g. make politics a source of incomeor livelihood.

i i . A ct i v e Me m b e r s o f Lo k Sa t t a

sha l l :

a. exhibit the highest standards ofethical and moral behaviour.

b. promote politics as a means to

public good.c. have the right to freely express

his/her views in the Partyinternal fora.

d. in public discourse and forums,adhere to positions approved bythe Party.

e. respect the decision of the

majority with grace and humility.

f. be a team player, with thecapacity to work with others forcommon purpose.

g. respect the right of the minorityto differ.

h. accept any contributions to the

Party with a duly signed receipt.i. abide by the financial code of

conduct prescribed by the Party.

iii. All office bearers of the Party atthe district, state, and nationallevels shall file an annual financialdisclosure statement with the Party.


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(Article XXV)7. Affirmative action for

ensuring gender, youth, andsocial equity

i. The Coordinator at all levels ofthe Party, and Secretary uptodistrict level, shall be elected

general constituencies, which willbe open for all members of theParty to contest.

ii. The posit ions reserved forwomen, shall be open for womenfrom any section of the society.

iii. In positions reserved for BC/SC/ST/other minorities, any member

from these sections will beeligible to contest. In otherwords, this will be treated as ablock quota, and there will notbe separate reservation for eachgroup.

iv. At all levels of the Party, at least50% of the elected office bearers,

executive, and General Councilshall be of less than 40 years age.If this is violated, the eldestmembers excepting the officebearers shall be treated asspecial invitees, and thevacancies shall be filled by thosewho are less than 40 years old.


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v. At the primary and intermediatelevels, at least one assistantsecretary position shall bereserved for women, and oneassistant secretary position forBC/SC/ST/other minorities.

vi. At the district, state, andnational levels, 1/3 of all electedpositions in all organs of theParty shall be reserved forwomen, and 1/3 for weakersections of the society. Thisprovision shall not be applicableto positions automatically filledby ex-officio members.

(Article XV)8. Constituting the General

Councili. The National General Council

shall be constituted with thefollowing members:

a. The National Coordinator aschair person.

b. Coordinators and Secretaries ofall State units, as ex-officiomembers.

c. Prescribed number of memberselected from each state generalcouncil, out of which 1/3 shallbe women, and 1/3 from BC/SC/ST/other minorities.


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d. Co-opted members, notexceeding 10 % of themembership of the GeneralCouncil

ii. The State General Council shallbe constituted with the followingmembers:

a. The State Coordinator as chairperson.

b. Coordinators and Secretaries ofall District units, as ex-officiomembers.

c. 9 members elected from eachdistrict general council, out ofwhich 1/3 shall be women, and

1/3 from BC/SC/ST/otherminorities.

d. Co-opted members, notexceeding 20 in number.

iii. The District General Council shallbe constituted with the followingmembers:

a. The District Coordinator as chairperson.

b. Coordinators and Secretaries ofall intermediate units, as ex-officio members.

c. 3 members elected from eachintermediate general council,out of which one shall be


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women, and one from BC/SC/ST/other minorities.


iv. The Intermediate General Councilshall be constituted with thefollowing members:

a. The Coordinator of theintermediate unit as chairperson.

b. Coordinators and Secretaries ofall primary units, andConveners of Professional,Women, Youth, Students andother such groups if any, as ex-

officio members.c. 6 members elected from each

primary general council, out ofwhich 1/3 shall be women, and1/3 from BC/SC/ST/otherminorities.


v. The Primary General Council shallbe constituted with the followingmembers:

a. The Coordinator of the primaryunit as chair person.

b. Conveners of Professional,Women, Youth, Students and

other such groups if any.


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c. 15 members elected from allmembers of the Party at thislevel, out of which 1/3 shall bewomen, and 1/3 from BC/SC/ST/other minorities.

(Article X, XI)

9. Strength of Office Bearers

i. The total number of off icebearers at the Intermediatelevel shall not be more than 5,including a maximum of 3Assistant Secretaries.

ii. The total number of officebearers at the Primary levelshall not be more than 4,

including a maximum of 2Assistant Secretaries.

(Article XIX)

10.Filling Vacancies

i. The Electoral Authority shallconduct a special election forfilling any vacancy, if more than1/3 of the term of office isremaining.

ii. At the primary and intermediatelevels of the Party, if a vacancyarises for the position ofCoordinator, the Secretary shallact as the Coordinator, untilsuch time that the Electoral


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Authority notifies and conductsa special election for thatoffice.

iii. At the district, state, andnational levels, if a vacancyarises for any elected office,the Executive Committee shallchoose a replacement for that

office, until such time that theElectoral Authority notifies andconducts a special election forfilling that office.

(Article XXIV)

11.Procedure to Challenge andRecall Coordinator

i. To chal lenge and reca ll aCoordinator at any level of theParty, either a resolutionapproved by 2/3of the votingmembers of the GeneralCouncil at a requisitionedmeeting, or a notice signed by of all active members of theParty at that level should besubmitted to the ElectoralAuthority.

ii. Upon va lidation of thechallenge and recall motion,the Electoral Authority, shallconduct a recall election within3 months from the date ofreceiving the notice.


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iii. The Coordinator at any level ofthe Party can be unseated by amajority vote in a recallelection.

(Article XXIV)

12.Procedure to Challenge anyother Office Bearer

i. To challenge any elected officebearer at any level of the Party,excepting the Coordinator, aresolution supported by 1/3ofthe voting members of theGeneral Council at that level ismandatory.

ii. Any elected off ice bearer

excepting the Coordinator, atany level of the Party, can beunseated by a resolutionpassed by a majority of thevoting members of the GeneralCouncil at that level, at arequisitioned meeting.

(Article XXVII )

13.Limit for Donations in CashDonations less than Rs.5,000 maybe accepted in cash, which shallbe acknowledged by a receipt.

(Article XXXI, XXXII )

14.Conduct of Meetings

i. At al l levels of the Party,

meetings of all organs


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excepting the disciplinary andelectoral authorities, shall bechaired by the Coordinator atthat level.

ii. The Secretary shal l beresponsible for conducting theproceedings of the meetings.

(Article XXXI )

15.Statutory Meetings

i. The statutory meetings ofvarious Party organs atdifferent levels shall be heldas prescribed below:

ii Notice Period

a. A statutory meeting of theExecutive Committee at the

intermediate, district, state,

WorkingCommittee

ExecutiveCommittee

GeneralCouncil

AllMembers

NationalParty

Once every

60 days

Once every

3 months

Once a

year

NAState Unit Once every

30 days

Once every

3 months

Once every6 months

District Unit Once every

30 days

Once every

3 months

Once every6 months

IntermediateUnit

Once every

15 days

Once every

2 months

Once every4 months

PrimaryUnit

NAOnce every

15 days

Once every2 months

Once every

3 months


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and national levels can beconvened with a 10 day notice.

b. A statutory meeting of theGeneral Council at theintermediate, district, state,and national levels can beconvened with a 15 day notice.

(Article XXXII )16.Requisitioned Meeting

A Requisitioned Meeting of anyParty organ at any level can beconvened with the support of 1/3of the members of that organ witha 15-day notice.

(Article XXXII )

17.Emergency Meeting

An Emergency Meeting of anyParty organ at any level can beconvened at any time with a shortnotice.

(Article XXI)

18.Electoral Authority

i. The Nat ional WorkingCommittee shall constitute theNational Electoral Authoritywith a Chair Person, and atleast 2, and no more than 8members as a permanentorgan of the Party.


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ii. The Nat ional Work ingCommittee shall appoint suchmembers or other individualsto the National ElectoralAuthority who are known fortheir integrity and neutrality.

iii. The term of office for membersof the National Electoral

Authority shall be 6 years.

iv. 1/3 of the members of theNational Electoral Authorityshall retire every 2 years, andthe vacancies shall be filled bythe National WorkingCommittee.

v. The State, District andIntermediate level ElectoralAuthorities may be constitutedwith no less than 3, and nomore than 5 members.

vi. The National ElectoralAuthority shall appointmembers of the State, District,and Intermediate level

Electoral Authorities, from apanel recommended by therespective state, district andintermediate level WorkingCommittees.

vii. The State, Distr ict, andIntermediate level ElectoralAuthorities shall function under


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the guidance of the NationalElectoral Authority. TheNational Electoral Authorityshall be empowered to removefrom office an erring memberof the lower level ElectoralAuthorities.

viii.The Electoral Authority shall

conduct all internal Partyelections before the term ofoffice expires.

ix. The Electoral Authority shallconduct an election to fill anyvacancy in no more than 45days from the date of receivinga notice from the Coordinator.

x. If warranted, the ElectoralAuthority shall conduct a recallelection within 3 months ofreceiving notice.

xi. The National WorkingCommittee is empowered toremove from office, any erringmember of the National

Electoral Authority.xii. The members of the Electoral

Authority at any level shall notbe eligible to contest in anyParty elections.


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(Article XVI)

19. Disciplinary Authority

i. The Nat ional WorkingCommittee shall constitute theNational Disciplinary Authoritywith a Chair Person, and atleast 2, and no more than 8members.

ii. The Nat ional Work ingCommittee shall appoint suchmembers or other individualsto the National DisciplinaryAuthority who are known fortheir integrity and neutrality.

iii. The State, Distr ict and

Intermediate level DisciplinaryAuthorities may be constitutedwith no less than 3 and nomore than 5 members.

iv. The National Discipl inaryAuthority shall appointmembers of the State, District,and Intermediate level

Disciplinary Authorities, from apanel recommended by therespective state, district, andintermediate WorkingCommittees.

v. The State, District , andIntermediate level DisciplinaryAuthorities shall function under

the guidance of the National


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Disciplinary Authority. TheNational Disciplinary Authorityshall be empowered to removefrom office an erring memberof the lower level DisciplinaryAuthorities.

vi. All disciplinary proceedings atthe sub-district level shall be

disposed of in less than 2months from the date ofreceiving the initial complaint,or start of disciplinaryproceedings.

vii. All disciplinary proceedings atthe district, state, and nationallevels shall be disposed of in

less than 3 months from thedate of receiving the initialcomplaint, or start ofdisciplinary proceedings.

viii.Any subsequent appeal to ahigher authority shall bedisposed of in no more than 30days.

ix. The National WorkingCommittee shall beempowered to remove fromoffice, any erring member ofthe National DisciplinaryAuthority.

x. The members of theDisciplinary Authority at any


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level shall not be eligible tocontest in any Party elections.

(Article VII I)

20. Functions of the Coordinator

The Coordinator shall

i. provide effective leadership tothe Party unit in implementing

various Party activities andprogrammes;

ii. preside over the meetings ofthe various Party units at hislevel;

iii. assign specific responsibilitiesto Secretary, Treasurer,Assistant Secretary, and other

office bearers;iv. cast a tie breaking vote, when

warranted;

v. notify the Electoral Authoritywithin 15 days, when avacancy arises;

(Article VII I)

21. Functions of the Secretary

The Secretary shall

i. with the consent of theCoordinator, convenemeetings, issue circulars,and agendas, as well asorganize the meetings;

ii. present a report of Partyactivities;


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iii. execute the specificresponsibilities entrusted by theCoordinator.

(Article VII I)

22. Functions of the AssistantSecretary

The Assistant Secretary shall discharge

the responsibilities entrusted by theCoordinator.

(Article VII I)

23. Functions of the Treasurer

The treasurer or the office bearer

entrusted with financial responsibilitiesshall

i. maintain the income andexpenditure account of the Partyunit;

ii. for all Party units above the districtlevel, submit an audited statementof accounts ratified by theexecutive committee to the generalcouncil;

iii. for all Party units at the sub-districtlevel, submit a statement ofaccounts ratified by the executivecommittee to the general council;

iv. fulfil the regulatory requirementsas prescribed by theRepresentation of People Act, orany other such similar state ornational law governing politicalparties.

Documents

Constitution Loksatta