[EC-NCSG] Statement from All Previous NCSG EC Chairs: Clarification of NCSG's Longstanding Interpretation of NOTA

[Robin Gross]

Dear Tapani,

We write to you as the 3 previous chairs of the NCSG Executive Committee out of concern for the new interpretation you provided to the membership today for the phrase ?None of The Above? (NOTA) in NCSG?s annual election process.

As all previous NCSG Executive Committee Chairs, and as those who were each involved in the drafting of NCSG?s Charter and the administration of every election NCSG has ever held under it, we feel the need to clarify how NCSG has always interpreted NOTA in our elections.

Every candidate stands against NOTA because we intended for each candidate to engage in a meaningful and honest democratic election, irrespective of the number of candidates running for a position.  Those candidates who receive less votes than NOTA are not elected for the position as there was insufficient support demonstrated for such a candidate.  NCSG elections have never been intended to be merely ??symbolic? gestures with members having no real opportunity to reject each and every candidate in an election.

Your emails to the list today on this topic caused us great concern as they seemed to contradict NCSG?s longstanding election practice and interpretation of NOTA by implying NCSG members have no opportunity to vote for or against each and every candidate. 

We hope this statement clarifies your previous misunderstanding of the meaning of NOTA and helps to reinstate NCSG members? democratic rights to accept or reject every candidate who stands for election.

Thank you,
Avri Doria (NCSG EC Chair 2011-12) 
Robin Gross (NCSG EC Chair 2012-14)
Rafik Dammak (NCSG EC Chair 2014-15)
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