FAQ Elections
All election related Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) are listed here. Please review the entire document before sending your question to Qa' id Umumi for clarification or additional information.
Question 1: Can a Za'im conduct the “Za'im election” himself?
Answer: The election for Za'im should be preferably conducted by the regional Nazim. If Nazim is not available then election can be conducted by the Local/Regional Missionary or Jama'at President even if he is a Khadim. The presiding officer should not nominate anyone, nor vote himself. In the case of a tie in election results, the presiding officer should add comments/recommendation with reasons and send the completed report to Sadr Majlis.
If Za'im has already served three terms and permission has not been granted for him to be elected for an additional term then current Za'im can hold the election as his name cannot be proposed for this office.
Question 2: For all elections, should all proposed and seconded names be submitted, or only the top two names?
Answer: The election serves as a recommendation from the local Majlis to the Sadr Majlis. All names that were proposed should be submitted. If a name was proposed and not seconded that name should also be submitted with a note that no one seconded (a nomination that is not seconded is automatically dropped).
Question 3: How many terms can a Za'im serve for?
Answer: The Za'im of a local Majlis can be elected for a maximum of three consecutive terms.
If a person has served for three consecutive terms, his name should not be proposed in the election unless special permission has been obtained from Sadr Majlis. Local ‘Amila can request Sadr Majlis for this permission/exemption.
A person is eligible to be elected for Za'im again after a break of one term, provided he fulfills all other requirements (Click here to see eligibility criteria).
Question 4: What are the quorum
requirements for an election?
Answer: Rule 29 (as revised on March 1, 2013) of the Constitution of Majlis Ansarullah states: "The quorum for an election meeting shall be one half of the total members eligible to vote vide rule No. 22 of the Majlis concerned. If the quorum is short at the time of first election meeting and it has to be postponed the quorum for the next meeting shall be one third of the eligible voters of the Majlis concerned."
Related Question: Does this mean one half of the total Tajnid (membership) or one half of the eligible voters?
Answer: As stated in revised Rule 29 quorum shall be of one half of the eligible members and not of the total Tajnid.
The quorum requirement for the second attempt to hold an election is one-third (1/3rd) of the total eligible members, if election does not take place the first time due to the lack of quorum. There is no quorum requirement should a need arise for a third attempt.
Important Note: For any election "notice of election" should be given at least two weeks in advance and serious effort must be made to inform all members in advance - both efforts should be documented.
An eligible voter is one who is up to date with all four dues: Chanda ‘Am/Wasiyyat, Chanda Jalsa Salana, Ansar Dues, and Ansar Ijtima‘ dues. Click here to see complete list of eligibility criteria.
Question 5: Who is eligible to vote and/or hold office?
Answer: The conditions laid down for any member who is eligible to vote or to be elected to any office are as follows:
- Should not be in arrears of Jama'at Chanda for more than 6 months and Chanda Jalsa Salana for more than a year.
- Should not be in arrears of Ansar Chanda for more than 6 months and Ijtima’ dues for more than one year.
Clarification:
- If an individual has only paid Ansar dues and does not pay Ijtima‘ dues – he is not eligible to take part in the election
- If an individual has only paid Chanda ‘Am/Wasiyat and does not pay Chanda Jalsa Salana – he is not eligible to take part in the election.
- This means that to be eligible to vote and be elected for any office in Majlis Ansarullah (including participation in Majlis Shura), one should be up-to-date with all four dues: Chanda ‘Am/Wasiyyat, Jalsa Salana, Ansar Dues, and Ansar Ijtima‘dues.
Additional eligibility criteria that should also be considered:
A person is not eligible to vote or to hold office:
- Against whom disciplinary action was taken by Jama’at and three years have not passed since his pardon.
- Who misused Jama’at or Auxiliary funds until three years after the return of funds/property and his pardon by Khalifatul Masih.
- Who is subjected to disciplinary action two times; he shall never be eligible to hold any office.
- Who by-passes local administration and sends his Chanda directly to the Center/Headquarters.
- Whose Wasiyyat has been canceled by Sadr Anjuman Ahmadiyya by way of disciplinary action or due to non-payment of Chanda Wasiyyat.
Question 6: For the Sadr or Na’ib Sadr Saf Dom Election: How many
names can be presented for each nomination?
Answer: As many names can be proposed and seconded as for any other office election. However, only one name for each office is to be submitted on the form, therefore, election by show of hands should be conducted and only those names should be submitted that receive majority vote. It is advisable that the voters carefully keep in mind the qualifications and eligibility requirements for the position of Sadr and Na’ib Sadr Saf Dom before a name is proposed.
Question 7: For the Sadr or Na’ib Sadr Saf Dom Election: Why is
the quorum required for the nomination process? This step might not be considered part of the election,
technically speaking.
Answer: The quorum is required for the nominations to ensure that the majority of the members have the opportunity to participate in the nomination process. The nominations step is in fact considered part of the election; without it there can be no election!
It is recommended that the nominations for Sadr and Na’ib Sadr Saf Dom are sought in the same meeting when the Shura election is held, because the requirement of the quorum has already been fulfilled for that election.
Question 8: For the Sadr or Na’ib Sadr Saf Dom Election: what happens after the
election results of Sadr and Nā’ib Sadr Saf Dom are submitted by all Majālis?
Answer: All Majālis will conduct election of Sadr and Naib Sadr Saf Dom as a regular election by holding a general body meeting and fulfilling the quorum requirement. After the election results are received from all Majālis, they will be screened by National Mal and Umur-e-Amma departments and then sent to Khalīfatul-Masīḥ for his approval. Once Huzoor approves those names, a final election round will be held by Shura delegates at the time National Shura. In this round of election, all Shūrā delegates (Za’īm and Shūrā representatives) from any Majlis will be bound to vote for the same person who was elected in their general body meeting. This round of election, Shūrā delegates cannot change their opinion by themselves and cannot vote for anyone other than who was elected by their Majlis in their general body meeting. If, however, Huzoor does not approve any of the names nominated by any Majlis in their general body meeting, then the approved list will be shared with any such Majlis before the National Shura election. That Majlis shall be required to hold another general meeting to decide by a majority vote to support one person from the approved list and instruct their Shūrā delegates to vote for him at the time of election at National Shūrā.
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Question 9: For the Sadr or Na’ib Sadr Saf Dom Election: Who can be nominated?
Answer: Sadr and Na’ib Sadr Saf Dom can be nominated from anywhere in the USA. They do not necessarily have to be from your own Majlis. Please note that there is an age limit for Na’ib Sadr Saf Dom; the nominated person should not be above 47 years of age.A nominated person should meet all the eligibility criteria (National 'Amila will check the status).
Related Question: What if we are not sure about the age for proposing a name for Na’ib Sadr Saf Dom?
Answer: If you are not sure about the age, you can still propose the name. Qa'id Umumi will check the age of each person proposed for this office before presenting the names to National ‘Amila for discussion.
Question 10: Shura Delegates: Based on our Majlis’s Tajnid, three delegates can
represent our Majlis at Shura. Should we submit all names proposed and seconded, or only the top three names?
Answer: Election at the Majlis level is only a recommendation from the local Majlis to the Sadr Majlis. Note: Number of Shura delegates to be elected is based on the number of Chanda-paying members and not total Tajnid.
All names that were proposed should be submitted. Even if a name was proposed and not seconded, (therefore dropped automatically from the election), that name should also be submitted with the note that no one seconded that proposal.
Question 11: Shura Delegates: Can those individuals who are holding a "higher"
office (such as Regional Nazim, or National ‘Amila member etc.) be proposed for the position of Shura delegate?
Answer: All Regional Nazimeen and National Ansar ‘Amila members are ex-officio members of the Shura of Majlis Ansarullah, USA. Any Nasir who is eligible to take part in the election can be elected, this may include Jama'at President, Jama'at National ‘Amila member, or a member with no office at all. Same person should not be elected year after year - this will allow more members to participate and learn about the importance of Shura.
Question 12: Shura Delegates: Can a Za‘im conduct the Shura
delegate election?
Answer: Yes, a Za'im can conduct the Shura delegate election himself because he is an ex-officio member of the Shura. Technically highest officer in the Majlis should conduct the election: Ansar National Amila Member -> Regional Nazim -> Za'im.
The presiding officer should not nominate, second, or vote. He should send his recommendation in comments section.
Question 13: Shura Related: How many Shura representatives should be elected?
Answer: Each Majlis may elect one (1) Shura representative for every 20 eligible (Chanda-paying) Ansar members and NOT on the basis of total Tajnid of the Majlis. For example, for a Majis with Tajnid of 100 members with only 35 Chanada-paying members can elect only two delegates.
- If the Chanda-paying members number between 1 and 20, elect one (1) Shura delegate;
- If the Chanda-paying members number between 21 and 40, elect two (2) Shura delegates;
- If the Chanda-paying members number between 41 and 60, elect three (3) Shura delegates;
- If the Chanda-paying members number between 61 and 80, elect four (4) Shura delegates , and so on.
Please note that Zu’ama are ex-officio members of the Shura . The election of the Shura representatives is in addition to the Za‘im.
Question 14: Shura Related: What is the process for submitting Shura proposals?
Answer: Shura proposals need to be discussed in a general meeting and need to be approved by a majority vote before they can be submitted to Qa'id Umumi. It is recommended that any potential Shura proposals should be sought and discussed in the Shura representative election meeting since the majority of members will be present there.
All proposals sent to Qa'id Umumi should be discussed, voted upon, and approved by the majority vote.
Question 15: Shura Related: What should be the nature and scope of the Shura
proposals?
Answer: Shura proposals will be discussed in the National Shura by the elected delegates and should be relevant to national needs / requirements in their nature and scope. Any local issues or concerns should be referred to Sadr Majlis through Qa'id Umumi and not submitted as Shura proposals.
Question 16: Regarding voter/officer Eligibility: If a member turned 40 years of
age during the current year, can he be elected as Za‘im?
Answer: If a person has turned 40 during a given year then he can be elected as a Za‘im only if his term starts on or after January 1st of the following year. It is necessary to check his Chanda status with Majlis Khuddamul Ahmadiyya and with the Jama'at, and he should also meet all other eligibility criteria.
Question 17: Can those individuals who are holding a "higher" office (such as
Regional Nazim, etc) be proposed for the position of the local Za'im?
Answer: Yes, a Regional Nazim or a Qa'id can be elected as a Za'im. However, it is advisable to elect members who do not have any other office if possible. This will help to build up the leadership and the workload will be shared by more members.
Question 18: Regarding voter/officer eligibility: Is Jama'at obligatory Chanda
‘Am/Wasiyyat and/or Jalsa Salana payment required for eligibility to vote or to be nominated in Ansar elections?
Answer: Jama'at dues (Chanda) are obligatory upon all earning members. It is incorrect to state that payment of Jama'at obligatory Chanda ‘Am is not applicable for participation in Ansar elections.
Please see letter from Ch. Hameedullah Sahib, Wakīl A’la, Tahrik Jadid Anjuman Ahmadiyya Pakistan, Rabwah,dated December 12, 2010, that was approved by Hadrat Khalifatul Masih Al-Khamis (ayyadahullahu ta‘ala binasrihil-‘aziz). This letter clearly states that anyone who is more than six months in arrears in payment of dues or Jama'at Chanda cannot take part in any election. Please carefully read Rule 22 on pages 6 & 7 of the Constitution of Majlis Ansarullah, especially Item iii on page 7.
Question 19: What are the Chanda requirements as far as Jama'at and Ansar Chanda is
concerned?
Answer: To see response click here.
