or such other address as may subsequently be decided upon by the Central Executive Council (hereinafter referred to as the “CEC”) and approved by the Registrar of Societies.

3. OBJECTS

Its objects are:

3.1 To build a multi-Party democracy by winning seats in parliamentary elections.

3.2 To organise and maintain an active ground presence to understand the people’s needs and concerns.

3.3 To provide a credible platform for the people to express their views and concerns so as to influence government policies.

4. MEMBERSHIP

4.1 Eligibility

Any Singaporean citizen of not less than 18 years of age who subscribes to the conditions of membership and is not a member of any political party or organisation ancillary or subsidiary thereto whose aims and policies are incompatible with the aims and policies of the Party shall be eligible for membership.

4.2 Application For Membership

4.2.1 Application for membership shall be made by submitting a Party membership application accompanied by the membership fee, the application of which shall be considered by the CEC.

4.2.2 An application shall be approved if a simple majority of the members of the CEC present at the council meeting at which the membership of the applicant is considered, vote in favour of his application.

4.2.3 The CEC may reject any applicant without assigning any reason thereof and its decision shall be final.

4.2.4 Upon the approval of the member, the Secretary General (hereinafter referred to as the “SG”) shall inform the applicant in writing of the approval of the application, and the applicant shall be furnished with a digital or hard copy of the Constitution of the Party.

4.3 Subscription

4.3.1 The annual subscription for a Member shall be $10/- or such other sum as the CEC may from time to time prescribe.

4.3.2 All annual subscriptions shall be payable in the first month of each financial year.

4.3.3 If any member shall fail to pay his subscription within one (1) month of such subscription becoming due, notice shall be sent to him calling his attention thereto, and if he does not pay the amount within fourteen (14) days from the posting of such notice, the CEC shall be informed of such fact, and if he does not pay the amount within one (1) calendar month from the posting of such notice, the CEC may delete his name from the membership of the Party. But if at any time he shall give to the CEC a satisfactory explanation he may, at the discretion of the CEC, and upon payment of all arrears, be readmitted to membership.

4.4 Resignation

Any member may resign his membership by giving to the SG one (1) month’s notice in writing to that effect, provided that any member giving such notice shall be liable to pay his subscription up to and including the current year in which such notice is given.

4.5 Rights And Duties of Members

4.5.1 Every member shall be loyal to the Constitution of Singapore and to the cause of an independent, democratic Singapore.

4.5.2 Every member must accept and conform to the constitution, principles and policy of the Party.

4.5.3 All members shall have the right to attend Party Conventions to move and vote for resolutions at Party Conventions.

5. PARTY CONGRESS

5.1 Definition

5.1.1 The supreme authority of the Party is vested in the Party Congress.

5.1.2 The work of the Party shall be under the direction and control of the Party Congress which shall meet biennially. Such a Congress shall be called the Ordinary Party Congress (hereinafter referred to as the “OPC”).

5.1.3 The OPC shall be held upon the expiration of the term of office of the retiring CEC, the date and time to be fixed by the CEC.

5.1.4 The OPC may also at such other times be convened by the CEC or at the requisition of at least 25% of the Congress membership.

5.2 Congress Membership

5.2.1 Members who have proved their loyalty and service to the principles and objects of the Party shall be eligible for appointment as Congress members.

5.2.2 The appointment of members to Congress membership shall be made by the CEC.

5.2.3 A member shall be appointed Congress member on a simple majority of the members of the CEC meeting at which his appointment is considered.

5.2.4 Congress members shall have the right to attend the Party Congress and to vote for, elect, and be elected to the CEC.

5.2.5 A member who is an elected Member of Parliament or a Non-constituency Member of Parliament may only be expelled from the Party through a motion approved during a Party Congress or a Party Convention, but not through a CEC meeting.

5.3 Convening

5.3.1 At least one (1) calendar month before the date fixed for the OPC, the SG shall inform all Congress members in writing or through electronic mail of the date fixed for the OPC, and draws their attention to Clause 5.3.2 below.

5.3.2 Any Congress member desirous of moving any resolution at the OPC shall give notice thereof in writing to the SG not less than two (2) weeks before the date of the OPC, provided such resolutions are supported by not less than 5% of the Congress membership.

5.4 Quorum

5.4.1 The quorum for a Party Congress shall be at least two-tenth (2/10) of the total number of Congress members of the Party.

5.4.2 In the event of there being no quorum, the meeting shall be adjourned for thirty (30) minutes. On the meeting being reconvened after the adjournment, should the Congress members present be still less than two-tenth (2/10) the total number of Congress members of the Party, those present shall form a quorum.

5.5 Business

5.5.1 The Business at the OPC shall be:

To pass the minutes of the previous Party Congress.

To receive from the CEC a Report, covering the work and progress of the Party during its term of office, together with an audited financial statement.

To elect the President and the SG.

To elect the CEC and to appoint auditors until the next OPC.

To decide on any resolution which may be duly submitted to the OPC as provided in clause 5.3.2.

To decide what measures shall be taken to further the aims of the Party.

To transact any other business or resolutions approved by the CEC.

5.5.2 At least fourteen (14) days before the OPC, the SG shall notify all Congress members of the business to be transacted. Such notice shall include:

The CEC’s Report

The financial Statement of Accounts during its term of office

Any resolution which Congress members have indicated their intention of proposing under clause 5.3.2

5.5.3 The President of the Party and in his absence the Vice-President, or if he is also absent then any member of the CEC appointed by the CEC shall take the Chair. Every Congress member shall be entitled to one vote upon any motion, and, in case of any equality of votes, the resolution shall be declared to be lost.

5.5.4 A resolution put to vote shall be decided by a show of hands unless a ballot is demanded by a Congress member. Unless a ballot is so demanded, a declaration by the President that a resolution has on a show of hands been carried or lost shall be conclusive evidence of the fact. The demand for a ballot may be withdrawn. There shall be no voting by proxy.

5.5.5 The OPC may be adjourned from time to time till the business of the Congress is concluded.

5.6 Special Party Congress

5.6.1 The CEC may at any time for any special reason or on requisition of at least 25% of the Congress membership call a Special Party Congress (hereinafter referred to as the “SPC”).

5.6.2 Notice summoning a SPC shall be sent to Congress members not less than seven (7) days before the date fixed for the SPC and shall state the subject or subjects to be discussed at the Congress. No other subject may be discussed at the SPC.

5.6.3 At least seven (7) days before a SPC, the SG shall notify all Congress members of the business to be transacted.

6. PARTY CONVENTION

6.1 The Party Convention shall be held at least once in every two (2) years and also at such other times as the CEC decides.

6.2 At least three (3) weeks before the date fixed for a Party Convention the SG shall inform all members in writing or through electronic mail of the date fixed for the Party Convention and draw their attention to clause 6.3 below.

6.3 Any member wishing to move any resolution at the Party Convention shall give notice thereof in writing to the SG not less than two (2) weeks before the date of the Party Convention and such resolution shall be supported by not less than 10% of the membership.

6.4 At least one (1) week before the Party Convention the SG shall notify all members of the business to be transacted.

6.5 The business of the Party Convention shall be:

6.5.1 To receive from the CEC a report on the work and progress of the Party since the last Convention.

6.5.2 To decide on any resolution which may be approved by the CEC.

7. MANAGEMENT AND CENTRAL EXECUTIVE COUNCIL

7.1 Nomination, Election, And Co-Option

7.1.1 The administration of the Party shall be entrusted to the Central Executive Council (CEC).

7.1.2 The CEC shall, including the President and Secretary General (SG), consist of a maximum of fifteen (15) members, and may itself co-opt not more than six (6) additional members to the CEC.

7.1.3 All members of the CEC shall be elected by the OPC and shall hold office till the following OPC. Such members shall be eligible for re-election.

7.1.4 The President and SG shall be directly elected by the Party Congress. The other CEC appointments shall be finalised no more than two (2) weeks after the OPC.

7.1.5 The CEC shall elect from its members one or more Vice-Presidents and/or Assistant Secretaries, a Treasurer, and such other officials as it deems necessary.

7.1.6 The Treasurer shall not be appointed for more than two (2) consecutive terms.

7.2 Duties

The duties of the CEC shall include the following:

7.2.1 To present to the OPC and Party Convention a Report covering the work and progress of the Party during its term of office, together with a Financial Statement and Accounts duly audited.

7.2.2 To propose to the Party Congress (OPC or SPC) such amendments to the Constitution as may be deemed desirable and to submit to the Party Congress such resolutions and declarations as in its view may be necessitated by political circumstances.

7.2.3 To organise and maintain a Fund to finance elections and to spread among the people the aims and ideals of the Party.

7.2.4 To enforce the Constitution of the Party and promote its aims and to take any action it deems necessary for such purpose.

7.2.5 The CEC shall establish Party Branches in Singapore for such district at such times and with such constitution and standing orders as it shall deem proper. It shall at all time guide and control the work of the Party Branches in accordance with the policies laid down by the Party Congress and the objects of the Party.

7.2.6 To maintain Party discipline and to make rules and regulations governing the appointment, duties and discipline of Congress members and ordinary members.

7.2.7 To conduct a satisfactory handover to the incoming CEC.

7.3 Meeting

7.3.1 The CEC meeting shall be held at least once every month after seven (7) days’ notice to CEC members. The President may call an emergency CEC meeting at any time.

7.3.2 More than 50% of available CEC members at a properly convened meeting shall form a quorum.

7.3.3 The agenda for the meeting shall be distributed to CEC members at least seven (7) days before the meeting.

7.3.4 Minutes shall be kept of all the proceedings of the meeting. One (1) copy of the approved minutes shall be kept at the place of business indicated in clause 2.

7.3.5 Any CEC member absenting himself from three (3) consecutive meetings without satisfactory explanations shall be deemed to have withdrawn from the CEC and a successor may be appointed by the CEC to serve until the next Party Congress. Any change in the CEC shall be notified to the Registrar of Societies within two (2) weeks of the change.

7.4 Authority

7.4.1 The CEC shall have the power to appoint a member to fill any vacancy, except the President, on the Council until the next OPC.

7.4.2 The CEC shall have power to appoint sub-committees with powers to co-opt. Such sub-committees shall be responsible to the CEC.

7.4.3 The CEC shall have power to appoint, pay and dismiss servants employed by the Party.

7.5 Duties Of Office Bearers

7.5.1 The President:

The President shall preside at all meetings of the CEC, Party Congress and Party Convention and shall be responsible for the proper conduct of business at such meetings.

He shall sign the Minutes of each meeting at the time they are approved.

He shall countersign all bills passed by the CEC and in conjunction with the Treasurer shall sign all cheques of the Party.

He shall have the right to call meetings of the CEC.

He shall have a casting vote at all meetings.

He shall be an ex-official of all Committees.

All duties, powers and responsibilities of the President of the Party shall, in his absence, devolve upon the Vice President, or an Acting President elected by the CEC.

7.5.2 The Secretary General (SG)

The SG of the Party shall be responsible for summoning the OPC, any SPC, and any Party Convention and all meetings of the CEC.

He shall conduct Party correspondence under the directions of the CEC and shall keep a register of members.

He shall keep all members fully informed of all important activities of the CEC. He shall keep minutes of the OPC, and of any special minutes of the OPC, and of any SPC, and of the meetings of the CEC.

At least one (1) calendar month before the date fixed for the OPC the SG shall inform Congress members in writing of the date fixed for the OPC and draw their attention to clause 5.3.2.

The Assistant Secretary General shall assist the SG in the discharge of his duties, powers and responsibilities and in the absence of the SG shall act in his place.

7.5.3 The Treasurer

The Treasurer shall be responsible for all the funds of the Party and shall issue receipts for all payments made to the Party.

Notice shall be given by the Treasurer to all members whose subscriptions are in arrears.

The Treasurer shall open such a banking account as the CEC may direct and shall deposit therein all moneys received by him on behalf of the Party.

All cheques shall be signed by the President or Vice President and the Treasurer or Assistant Treasurer.

The Treasurer shall be responsible for drawing up the financial Statement of Accounts for presentation to the OPC.

The Assistant Treasurer shall assist the Treasurer in the discharge of his duties, powers and responsibilities and in the absence of the Treasurer shall act in his place.

8. AUDIT AND FINANCE

8.1 The Financial Year of the Party shall commence on the 1^st of January and end on the 31^st December. Within three (3) months after the end of a term of office, the CEC shall call the OPC and shall submit to it a Report with a financial statement and the duly audited accounts of the Party during its term of office

8.2 The Accounts of the Party shall be audited by an Auditor or two Honorary Auditors who shall certify the correctness of the Statement of Accounts to be submitted to the OPC. The Auditor or Honorary Auditors shall be appointed at the OPC.

8.3 No member shall except for professional services rendered at the request of the CEC, receive any profit, salary or emolument from the funds or transactions of the Party.

8.4 The CEC shall have the power to use at their discretion the funds of the Party or moneys collected by donations from members to compensate a member of the Party who has suffered any loss or injury as a direct result of activity carried out for the Party.

9. VISITORS AND GUESTS

Visitors and guests may be admitted into the premises of the Party but they shall not be admitted into the privileges of the Party. All visitors and guests shall abide by the Party’s rules and regulations.

10. DISCIPLINE AND PROHIBITION

10.1 Discipline

10.1.1 Every member shall faithfully and fully abide by every decision made by the Party Congress or by the CEC until such time as the decision is amended or revoked.

10.1.2 Should the interest of the Party so require, it shall be the duty of the CEC to consider the question of suspension or expulsion of any member or demotion of any Congress member at a special meeting convened for that purpose.

10.1.3 Such member shall be given notice in writing of such meeting and shall be informed in such notice that he may offer an explanation of his conduct to such meeting in person. If at such meeting, after considering the explanation offered, two-thirds (2/3) of the members of the CEC present and voting shall vote for his suspension, demotion or expulsion, he shall thereupon be suspended for such period as the CEC may specify or cease to be a Congress member as the case may be.

10.1.4 An expelled member shall have the right to appeal to the OPC.

10.1.5 Only the President or the SG of the Party can issue any statement to the Press in the name of the Party.

10.2 Prohibitions

10.2.1 Gambling of any kind, excluding the promotion or conduct of a private lottery which has been permitted under the Private Lotteries Act Cap 250, is forbidden on the Party’s premises. The introduction of materials for gambling or drug taking and of bad characters into the premises is prohibited.

10.2.2The funds of the Party shall not be used to pay the fines of members who have been convicted in court of law.

10.2.3 The Party shall not engage in any trade union activity as defined in any written law relating to trade unions for the time being in force in Singapore.

10.2.4 The Party shall not hold any lottery, whether confined to its members or not, in the name of the Party or its office‑bearers, CEC or members unless with the prior approval of the relevant authorities.

10.2.5 The Party shall not raise funds from the public for whatever purposes without the prior approval in writing of the Assistant Director Operations, Licensing Division, Singapore Police Force and other relevant authorities.

11. AMENDMENTS

11.1 Amendments to the Constitution shall only be made at the Party Congress (OPC or SPC).

11.2 The proposed amendments to the Constitution shall be sent in writing to the SG at least fourteen (14) days before the Party Congress.

11.3 The proposed amendments shall be circulated to Congress members at least seven (7) days before the Party Congress.

11.4 Any resolution proposing the repeal, addition to or any amendments of any of these Clauses at any Party Congress shall be null and void, unless at least half (1/2) the Congress members present vote in favour of such resolution.

11.5 No amendments to the Constitution shall be enforced or applied without the prior sanction of the Registrar of Societies.

12. INTERPRETATION

In the event of any question or matter pertaining to day-to-day administration which is not expressly provided for in this Constitution, the CEC shall have power to use their own discretion. The decision of the CEC shall be final unless it is reversed at any Party Congress.

13. DISSOLUTION

13.1 The Party shall not be dissolved, except with the consent of not less than three-fifths (3/5) of the members of the Party for the time being resident in Singapore expressed either in person or by proxy at a Party Convention convened for the purpose.

13.2 In the event of the Party being dissolved as provided above, all debts and liabilities legally incurred on behalf of the Party shall be fully discharged and the remaining funds will be disposed of in accordance with the decision taken at the said Party Convention.

13.3 A Certificate of dissolution shall be given within seven (7) days of the dissolution to the Registrar of Societies.

Last Updated: Fri, 29-Jan-2010