RNMU on 23rd August 2022 commenced the elections of the District and Referral hospitals committee members across the country. This is in line with RNMU’s continued quest for being a transparent and democratic organization.
The District Committee (DC) and the Referral Hospital Committee (RHC) elections comes after having successfully completed elections for Shop stewards across the country.
Across the country, elections were facilitated by a delegate from the National Executive Bureau assisted by RNMU staff. Election of members of Referral Hospital Committee were conducted at the various referral hospitals. Members of the Referral Hospital Committee were elected at Referral hospital general meeting (Director of nursing and midwifery, Heads of unit/departments member of RNMU, Shop stewards).
For one to be eligible for elections to RHB committee, the following criteria were followed;
- To be a nurse and/or a midwife;
- To be a member of the general meeting of the Referral hospital,
- To be registered in the RNMU database as an active member;
- To have been paid membership contribution at least for two years;
- To have been involved in RNMU activities at least for two years
- To have strong leadership, negotiation skills.
Members of the District Committee were elected at the general meeting (Member of District Committee, Directors of nursing and midwifery in Hospitals, Deans of nursing/midwifery schools, Heads of health facilities, and Shop stewards). It was a must for candidates to be RNMU active members.
For one to be eligible for elections to DEB Executive committee, the following criteria were followed;
- To be a nurse and/or a midwife;
- To be a member of the general meeting of the Referral hospital,
- To be registered in the RNMU database as an active member;
- To have been paid membership contribution at least for two years;
- To have been involved in RNMU activities at least for two years
- Must have strong leadership, negotiation skills.
Across the country, electoral Committees were selected among the members of the general assembly through volunteering or being seconded on the day of the election, composed of the Chairperson and two members. Candidates were given an opportunity to campaign and showcase their program and vision to the electorate. Each candidate was given a maximum of five minutes to share her/his manifesto. Elections were conducted by secret ballot, blank pieces of paper were used, each voter folded the ballot paper and placed it in the box, counted and subsequent winners were announced after attaining a simple majority.
At all election Gender balance was observed at least 30% of the committee. Where the elected chairperson is a male, the vice-chairperson had to be a female and if the chairperson was a female, the vice chairperson poistion was both male and female to compete for.
