Article XI

ARTICLE XI

PROHIBITED ACTS DURING

THE GRAND LODGE ELECTION

Section 1. Electioneering during an Electoral Process. Consistent with Masonic laws and regulations, electioneering shall not be allowed for any elective position of the Grand Lodge. For brevity, the term “nominee” and “candidate” shall also mean “recomendee” when referring to a person under consideration for an elective position during the electoral process.

Section 2. Acts Considered as Forms of Electioneering. For purposes of this Code, the following acts shall be considered electioneering.

2.1 Electioneering shall cover any act or acts covertly or overtly done by a nominee or candidate for an elective position; or by any person or persons or group, to gain undue advantage, subvert and/or grossly and unfairly influence the outcome of an election in favor of such nominee or candidate, using means that are contradictory to Masonic laws, regulations, traditions, practices, provisions and intent of this Code.

2.2 Electoral Process in the Grand Lodge starts as soon as Lodge initiatives are filed and ends with the installation of officers.

2.3 The venue for an electioneering charge is the Electoral Tribunal created by the Election Board.

Section 3. Collateral Acts that may be Considered as Electioneering. During the electoral period as defined in Section 2.2 of this Article, the following acts whether done directly or indirectly by a nominee or candidate, upon appreciation of depositions, testimonies and/or evidentiary documents may be classified under acts specified in Section 3 of this Article.

3.1 Direct or indirect endorsements with the use of verbal, electronic, audio-visual, text messaging or multi-media; giving away of flyers, business cards, Masonic pins, decals, emblems, stickers or souvenir items; distribution of other printed materials or advertisements in any form; use of promotional advertising and marketing collaterals whether or not the elective position or the name of the nominee or candidate is specified or whether endorsements, personal information or words to solicit votes are present or not but allude to the intent of soliciting votes by association, timing or opportunity to establish name recall.

3.2 Direct or indirect bribe by the party concerned or through an intermediary, whether monetary or in the form of gifts, pledges of material or non-material assistance, actual beneficiaries notwithstanding.

3.3 Solicitation for one’s own benefit, a recommendation or nomination to any elective position.

3.4 Politicking or the act of campaigning or solicitation of votes, support or endorsement by or for a nominee or candidate during the electoral process.

3.5 Influence Peddling or the act of allowing whether directly or indirectly, the use of one’s person, position, authority or influence to lead, promote, abet, facilitate or condone any act of electioneering; whether committed with or without the acceptance or promise, direct or implied, of any material benefit or personal advantage.

Section 4. Filing of Complaints. Complaints relative to the violation of the Election Code may be filed by any brother of good standing from a Subordinate Lodge in this jurisdiction. A complaint shall contain the alleged violation or violations, stating the circumstances thereat and shall include evidentiary documents and/or corroborating statements or information from witnesses, all done under oath and properly notarized. It shall be filed with the Election Board, addressed to the Electoral Tribunal. The Election Board shall issue a dated receipt and transmit the complaint to the Electoral Tribunal, copy furnished the Grand Secretary and the Judicial Council.

4.1 Payment by a nominee or candidate, of the dues, fees and/or other assessments due from a Subordinate Lodge or its members, out of his own funds or through an intermediary for the purpose of election accreditation or when such act shall tend to influence the vote of the Lodge or any of its voting delegates.

4.2 Sponsoring the travel, accommodation, entertainment, food or refreshment expenses of a Subordinate Lodge or its members to the Annual General Assembly; volunteering vehicles to ferry delegates for which act or acts a nominee or candidate may be identified.

4.3 Sponsoring socials, entertainment, fellowships or other events for which act a nominee or candidate may be identified.

4.4 Donating or sponsoring food, refreshment, gifts, prizes, equipment or facility during any meeting, social gathering or fellowship for which act a nominee or candidate may be identified.

4.5 Donation whether financial or material, contributing to any Lodge, District/ Region fund raising, for which act a nominee or candidate may be identified.

Section 5. Prescription Period. Election related complaints may be filed upon the creation of the Electoral Tribunal and until the day of the scheduled convening of the Council of Elders. The Election Board shall announce the start date and deadline for filing complaints.

Section 6. Disposition of Complaints during the Annual General Assembly. The Electoral Tribunal shall continue to give due course to formal complaints, provided these are filed within the prescribed period and in the opinion of its members, are adequate and meritorious; but in no case shall such complaint be left pending without notations, remarks or recommendation before the convening of the Council of Elders. If a valid complaint can not be promptly and judiciously investigated or prosecuted in time before the Council of Elders convene, the Tribunal shall indicate so in its remarks, note the time and date and remand it to the complainant for filing to the Judicial Council, through the Election Board, for consideration as post election complaint.

Section 7. Post Election Complaints. Complaints appertaining to alleged violation of this Code or to improper acts committed during the Election, and those remanded to the complainant by the Electoral Tribunal for lack of time, may be given due course if filed with the Judicial Council within seven (7) days after the Annual Grand Assembly.