TPA BYLAWS under FIP

Appendix I

Electoral Process and Democratic Governance Standards

This appendix outlines the principles and mechanisms governing the electoral procedures and institutional transparency of the Thai Padel Association (TPA), in alignment with best practices set by the International Padel Federation (FIP).

1. Election of the President and Executive Committee by the General Assembly

The General Assembly (GA) shall serve as the sovereign body of the Thai Padel Association. It holds the exclusive authority to:

• Elect the President of the Association.
  
  

• Approve the election procedures and appointment or election of the members of the Executive Committee (Ex-Co).
  
  

The rules governing the election process must be formally adopted by the GA prior to the commencement of any electoral cycle.

2. Election Cycle and Term Limits

Elections for the President and Executive Committee shall be conducted every four (4) years, unless otherwise aligned with term limits established by the relevant National Federation (NF) regulations or modified by a resolution of the General Assembly.

3. Establishment of Commissions

The TPA shall establish relevant commissions to enhance governance and ensure independent oversight of its operations. These may include:

• Legal Commission
  
  

• Ethics Commission
  
  

• Disciplinary Commission
  
  

• Electoral Commission
  
  

Each commission shall be appointed by the General Assembly and shall function independently within the scope defined by its respective mandate.

4. Public Announcement of Open Positions

All positions subject to election within the TPA must be publicly advertised at least sixty (60) days prior to the election date. The announcement shall include:

• Title of the position(s)
  
  

• Eligibility criteria
  
  

• Responsibilities
  
  

• Timetable and method for candidacy submission
  
  

This ensures accessibility and transparency for all eligible members.

5. Eligibility Requirements for Candidates

Eligibility criteria for candidates must be clearly defined, objective, and nondiscriminatory. These criteria may include, but are not limited to:

• Minimum age 18 years old.
  
  

• Proven experience in sport governance or padel development
  
  

• No criminal or disciplinary history
  
  

• Membership or affiliation requirements as per TPA statutes
  
  

All criteria must be stated in the electoral regulations and cannot be amended once the electoral process begins.

6. Publication of Candidates List

The list of approved candidates must be officially published by the TPA no later than thirty (30) days prior to the General Assembly at which the elections will be conducted. This list must be made accessible to all voting members via official communication channels (e.g., website, email, official noticeboard).

7. Campaign Conduct and Regulations

The campaign period shall be governed by ethical and transparent conduct. The TPA will issue official campaign regulations addressing:

• Permitted campaign activities
  
  

• Use of association resources
  
  

• Prohibition of bribery, intimidation, or defamatory practices
  
  

• Deadlines for campaign communications
  
  

All candidates must receive and acknowledge these regulations upon acceptance of their candidacy.

8. Equal Right to Present at the General Assembly

All confirmed presidential candidates shall be provided equal opportunity to present their program, strategic vision, and goals to the General Assembly. The format and duration of these presentations shall be the same for each candidate and determined in advance by the Electoral Commission.

9. Voting Procedure – Secret Ballot

The voting process shall be conducted by secret ballot to ensure privacy, neutrality, and free expression of voter choice. The method of voting (e.g.,physical ballots, digital ballots) must be clearly defined in the electoral regulations and approved by the GA.

10. Appointment of Scrutineers

Prior to the vote, the General Assembly shall appoint a minimum of two (2) independent scrutineers who are not candidates in the election. Their duties shall include:

• Monitoring the voting process
  
  

• Verifying the integrity of ballots
  
  

• Counting the votes in a transparent manner
  
  

• Certifying the results for the official record
  
  

Scrutineers must sign an integrity declaration prior to assuming their responsibilities.

Final Clause:

This appendix forms an integral part of the TPA Bylaws and is binding for all electoral cycles unless amended by the General Assembly under the procedures outlined in the Constitution.