PDP Chair Election Procedure

LAC-2019-7-v2 LAC-2019-7-v3 Vs
References:
New
Deleted
Modified
Authors

Name: Jordi Palet Martinez
Email: jordi.palet@theipv6company.com
Organization: The IPv6 Company

Name: Jordi Palet Martinez
Email: jordi.palet@theipv6company.com
Organization: The IPv6 Company

Summary

This proposal establishes changes to the PDP Chair election procedure.

This proposal establishes changes to the PDP Chair election procedure.

Rationale (Describe the problem you intend to solve)

On several occasions we have seen cases of malicious interference in LACNIC's election processes, and the normal functio
ning of the Policy List has been interrupted. This is not acceptable, even less so when they involve processes outside t
he PDP.
Combined with a detailed review of the current procedures, these actions and have uncovered errors which can lead to the
discrimination of certain candidates in favor of others and do not prevent potential fraud.
This proposal seeks to correct this situation, incorporating the process as a more explicit part of the PDP.

On several occasions we have seen cases of malicious interference in LACNIC's election processes, and the normal functio
ning of the Policy List has been interrupted. This is not acceptable, even less so when they involve processes outside t
he PDP.
Combined with a detailed review of the current procedures, these actions and have uncovered errors which can lead to the
discrimination of certain candidates in favor of others and do not prevent potential fraud.
This proposal seeks to correct this situation, incorporating the process as a more explicit part of the PDP.

Current text

Current text
3.2.2. About the PDP Chairs
o PDP Chairs may not be LACNIC staff.
o These positions will be honorary.
o PDP Chairs must be members of LACNIC or supported by a member of LACNIC.
o PDP Chairs will each serve a 2-year term, with one position up for renewal each year. Unlimited reelection is allowed.
3.2.3. About the election of the Chairs
o Calls for nominations will be announced through the Public Policy List.
o Anyone subscribed to the Public Policy List may participate.
o The election will be conducted immediately before the Public Policy Forum.
o Voting will be conducted electronically, applying mechanisms to ensure that each subscriber to the list can cast only
one vote.
o The winner of the electronic voting process must be ratified at the Public Policy Forum. The acting chairs will ask th
ose in attendance whether they have any objections to the electronic voting process. If any objections are raised, the c
hairs will evaluate whether such objections are significant. If no objections are raised, or if the chairs consider that
any such objections are not significant, they will proceed to ratify the winning candidate. Any chair who ran in the el
ection must abstain from participating as chair during the ratification process.
o Elected chairs will begin their term immediately after the closing of the Public Policy Forum during which they were r
atified.
o If a winner is not ratified, the LACNIC Board will appoint a chair to fill the vacant position until the following Pub
lic Policy Forum. The next time an election and ratification process can be conducted, the person elected will only fill
the position for the remainder of the original term.
New text
3.2.2. About the PDP Chairs
o PDP chairs may not be part of the LACNIC staff.
o The position is not compatible with other roles that are directly involved in the policy development process in any of
its phases. If this were the case, the candidate's nomination must specify how they will solve this situation should th
ey be elected. Thus, if they are elected, they will automatically cease in (or not take possession of, as the case may b
e) such incompatible positions, as specified in their nomination.
o Both chairs may not be from the same country, except in exceptional situations where there are no other acceptable
candidates, in which case one of the chairs will cease in their position at the following election process (following ye
ar), either because their term has come to an end or by agreement among the two chairs, failing which the chair who has
held the position the longest will automatically cease in their position.
o These positions are honorary.
o To run for the position, a candidate must be the membership contact of a LACNIC member organization or, alternately
, they must be nominated by two membership contact of a LACNIC member organization.
o PDP Chairs will each serve a 2-year term, with one position up for renewal each year. PDP Chairs may only be re-ele
cted for one consecutive term but are illegible to run again after a one-year pause.
o Candidates must have been part of the Public Policy List for at least 6 months prior to the start of the election p
rocess.
o In addition to the candidate’s biographical information, nominations must include specific information that allows
assessing their contribution, participation and experience in the PDP.
3.2.3. About the election of the chairs
o Calls for nominations will be announced through the Public Policy List.
o Anyone who has been part of the Public Policy List for at least 6 months prior to the start of the election process
may participate.
o Any use of the list for electoral purposes, even when by persons clearly supportive of a candidate, may result in t
heir disqualification, at the discretion of the chairs, if there is evidence of collusion.
o If at any time during the process the chairs determine that there are sufficient indications of fraud, they may di
squalify the candidate or candidates in question. If necessary, they may even invalidate the entire process and request
that LACNIC repeat the process in its entirety, in which case a timeline will be set such that the timing of the electio
n results will coincide as much as possible with the following Public Policy Forum.
o The election process begins with a call for candidates issued on the 1st day of the month three full months prior
to the end of the term of the chair that is to cease in their position. This phase will remain open for 28 to 31 days, d
epending on the length of the particular month during which it takes place.
o LACNIC will communicate the names of acceptable candidates to the Public Policy List, announcing where candidate in
formation will be published.
o A period of 10 calendar days will then begin during which the community will be able to contribute relevant informa
tion on the candidates, both expressions of support as well as information considered important for raising objections.
This information will be published simultaneously for all candidates on the first working day following the end of the 1
0-day period.
o Voting will begin on the first working Monday after the period specified above and will remain open for 7 calendar
days.
o In the event of a tie or, in case of an election with more than two candidates, if the margin of the candidate with
the highest number of votes is smaller than 10%, runoff voting among the two candidates with the highest number of vote
s will begin the following working Monday and will remain open for 7 calendar days.
o Voting will be conducted electronically, using mechanisms to ensure that each voter can cast only one vote.
o LACNIC will immediately announce the results of the first voting round as well as those of the runoff vote if appl
icable.
o If any objections are raised by a member of the community, such objections must be communicated to the acting chair
s within 7 calendar days of the announcement of the results. The chairs will then assess whether such objections are sig
nificant and have been proven. If no objections are raised, or if the chairs decide not to consider such objections, the
y will proceed to ratify the winning candidate.
o If a chair runs in the election, they must abstain from participating in any aspects of the election process. The B
oard of Directors will appoint one or two members of the community, as applicable, who are not running in the election,
to chair the process.
o Elected chairs will begin their term immediately after the closing of the next Public Policy Forum.
o If it were not possible to ratify a candidate, the LACNIC Board will appoint a chair to fill the vacant position u
ntil the following Public Policy Forum. The next time an election and ratification process can be conducted, the person
elected will only fill the position for the remainder of the original term. This same mechanism will apply, if necessary
, in case either of the chairs resigns before the end of their term or for any reason fails to meet their responsibiliti
es.
o The LACNIC Board of Directors is the highest instance of appeal in matters relating to the election process.

3.2.2. About the PDP Chairs
o PDP Chairs may not be LACNIC staff.
o These positions will be honorary.
o PDP Chairs must be members of LACNIC or supported by a member of LACNIC.
o PDP Chairs will each serve a 2-year term, with one position up for renewal each year. Unlimited reelection is allowed.
3.2.3. About the election of the Chairs:
o Calls for nominations will be announced through the Public Policy List.
o Anyone subscribed to the Public Policy List may participate.
o The election will be conducted immediately before the Public Policy Forum.
o Voting will be conducted electronically, implementing mechanisms to ensure that each subscriber to the list can cast o
nly one vote.
o The winner of the electronic voting process must be ratified at the Public Policy Forum. The acting chairs will ask th
ose in attendance whether they have any objections to the electronic voting process. If any objections are raised, the c
hairs will evaluate whether such objections are significant. If no objections are raised, or if the chairs consider that
any such objections are not significant, they will proceed to ratify the winning candidate. Any chair who ran in the el
ection must abstain from participating as chair during the ratification process.
o Elected chairs will begin their term immediately after the closing of the Public Policy Forum during which they were r
atified.
o If a winner is not ratified, the LACNIC Board will appoint a chair to fill the vacant position until the following Pub
lic Policy Forum. The next time an election and ratification process can be conducted, the person elected will only fill
the position for the remainder of the original term.

New text

Current text
3.2.2. About the PDP Chairs
o PDP Chairs may not be LACNIC staff.
o These positions will be honorary.
o PDP Chairs must be members of LACNIC or supported by a member of LACNIC.
o PDP Chairs will each serve a 2-year term, with one position up for renewal each year. Unlimited reelection is allowed.
3.2.3. About the election of the Chairs
o Calls for nominations will be announced through the Public Policy List.
o Anyone subscribed to the Public Policy List may participate.
o The election will be conducted immediately before the Public Policy Forum.
o Voting will be conducted electronically, applying mechanisms to ensure that each subscriber to the list can cast only
one vote.
o The winner of the electronic voting process must be ratified at the Public Policy Forum. The acting chairs will ask th
ose in attendance whether they have any objections to the electronic voting process. If any objections are raised, the c
hairs will evaluate whether such objections are significant. If no objections are raised, or if the chairs consider that
any such objections are not significant, they will proceed to ratify the winning candidate. Any chair who ran in the el
ection must abstain from participating as chair during the ratification process.
o Elected chairs will begin their term immediately after the closing of the Public Policy Forum during which they were r
atified.
o If a winner is not ratified, the LACNIC Board will appoint a chair to fill the vacant position until the following Pub
lic Policy Forum. The next time an election and ratification process can be conducted, the person elected will only fill
the position for the remainder of the original term.
New text
3.2.2. About the PDP Chairs
o PDP chairs may not be part of the LACNIC staff.
o The position is not compatible with other roles that are directly involved in the policy development process in any of
its phases. If this were the case, the candidate's nomination must specify how they will solve this situation should th
ey be elected. Thus, if they are elected, they will automatically cease in (or not take possession of, as the case may b
e) such incompatible positions, as specified in their nomination.
o Both chairs may not be from the same country, except in exceptional situations where there are no other acceptable
candidates, in which case one of the chairs will cease in their position at the following election process (following ye
ar), either because their term has come to an end or by agreement among the two chairs, failing which the chair who has
held the position the longest will automatically cease in their position.
o These positions are honorary.
o To run for the position, a candidate must be the membership contact of a LACNIC member organization or, alternately
, they must be nominated by two membership contact of a LACNIC member organization.
o PDP Chairs will each serve a 2-year term, with one position up for renewal each year. PDP Chairs may only be re-ele
cted for one consecutive term but are illegible to run again after a one-year pause.
o Candidates must have been part of the Public Policy List for at least 6 months prior to the start of the election p
rocess.
o In addition to the candidate’s biographical information, nominations must include specific information that allows
assessing their contribution, participation and experience in the PDP.
3.2.3. About the election of the chairs
o Calls for nominations will be announced through the Public Policy List.
o Anyone who has been part of the Public Policy List for at least 6 months prior to the start of the election process
may participate.
o Any use of the list for electoral purposes, even when by persons clearly supportive of a candidate, may result in t
heir disqualification, at the discretion of the chairs, if there is evidence of collusion.
o If at any time during the process the chairs determine that there are sufficient indications of fraud, they may di
squalify the candidate or candidates in question. If necessary, they may even invalidate the entire process and request
that LACNIC repeat the process in its entirety, in which case a timeline will be set such that the timing of the electio
n results will coincide as much as possible with the following Public Policy Forum.
o The election process begins with a call for candidates issued on the 1st day of the month three full months prior
to the end of the term of the chair that is to cease in their position. This phase will remain open for 28 to 31 days, d
epending on the length of the particular month during which it takes place.
o LACNIC will communicate the names of acceptable candidates to the Public Policy List, announcing where candidate in
formation will be published.
o A period of 10 calendar days will then begin during which the community will be able to contribute relevant informa
tion on the candidates, both expressions of support as well as information considered important for raising objections.
This information will be published simultaneously for all candidates on the first working day following the end of the 1
0-day period.
o Voting will begin on the first working Monday after the period specified above and will remain open for 7 calendar
days.
o In the event of a tie or, in case of an election with more than two candidates, if the margin of the candidate with
the highest number of votes is smaller than 10%, runoff voting among the two candidates with the highest number of vote
s will begin the following working Monday and will remain open for 7 calendar days.
o Voting will be conducted electronically, using mechanisms to ensure that each voter can cast only one vote.
o LACNIC will immediately announce the results of the first voting round as well as those of the runoff vote if appl
icable.
o If any objections are raised by a member of the community, such objections must be communicated to the acting chair
s within 7 calendar days of the announcement of the results. The chairs will then assess whether such objections are sig
nificant and have been proven. If no objections are raised, or if the chairs decide not to consider such objections, the
y will proceed to ratify the winning candidate.
o If a chair runs in the election, they must abstain from participating in any aspects of the election process. The B
oard of Directors will appoint one or two members of the community, as applicable, who are not running in the election,
to chair the process.
o Elected chairs will begin their term immediately after the closing of the next Public Policy Forum.
o If it were not possible to ratify a candidate, the LACNIC Board will appoint a chair to fill the vacant position u
ntil the following Public Policy Forum. The next time an election and ratification process can be conducted, the person
elected will only fill the position for the remainder of the original term. This same mechanism will apply, if necessary
, in case either of the chairs resigns before the end of their term or for any reason fails to meet their responsibiliti
es.
o The LACNIC Board of Directors is the highest instance of appeal in matters relating to the election process.

3.2.2. About the PDP Chairs
o PDP Chairs may not be LACNIC staff.
o The position is not compatible with other roles that are directly involved in the flow of the policy development proce
ss in any of its phases. If this were the case, the candidate's nomination must specify how they will solve this situati
on should they be elected. Thus, if they are elected, they will automatically cease in (or not take possession of, as th
e case may be) such incompatible positions, as specified in their nomination.
o Both chairs may not be from the same country, except in exceptional situations where there are no other acceptable can
didates, in which case one of the chairs will cease in their position in the following election process (the following y
ear), either because their term has come to an end or by agreement among the two chairs, failing which the chair who has
held the position the longest will automatically cease in their position.
o These positions are honorary.
o To run for the position, a candidate must be the membership contact of a LACNIC member organization or, alternately, t
hey must be nominated by two membership contacts of LACNIC member organizations.
o PDP Chairs will each serve a 2-year term, with one position up for renewal each year. PDP Chairs may only be re-electe
d for one consecutive term but are eligible to run again after a one-year pause.
o Candidates must have been part of the Public Policy List for at least 6 months prior to the start of the election proc
ess.
o In addition to the candidate’s biographical information, nominations must include specific information that allows ass
essing their contribution, participation and experience with the PDP.
3.2.3. About the election of the Chairs:
o Calls for nominations will be announced through the Public Policy List.
o Voting will be conducted electronically, using mechanisms to ensure, to the extent possible, that each voter can cast
only one vote.
o Given that the voters registry consists of the subscribers to the Public Policy List, in order to avoid tampering, eff
orts will be made to keep participants who subscribe solely for the election process from participating in each election
, for example, by limiting the voters registry to those who have subscribed “n” months prior to the start of said proces
s.
o Any use of the list for electoral purposes, even when by persons clearly supportive of a candidate, may result in thei
r disqualification if there is evidence of collusion.
o If at any time during the process it is determined that there are sufficient indications of fraud, the candidate or ca
ndidates in question may be disqualified. If necessary, they may even invalidate the entire process and request that LAC
NIC repeat the process in its entirety, in which case a timeline will be set such that, to the extent possible, the timi
ng of the election results will coincide with the following Public Policy Forum.
o The election process begins with a call for candidates issued on the 1st day of the month three full months prior to t
he end of the term of the chair that is to cease in their position. This phase will remain open for 28 to 31 days, depen
ding on the length of the particular month during which it takes place.
o LACNIC will communicate to the Public Policy List the names of those candidates that meet all the requirements and hav
e been accepted, announcing where the candidates’ information will be published.
o A period of 10 calendar days will then begin during which the community will be able to contribute relevant informatio
n on the candidates. If confirmed, this information will be published simultaneously for all candidates on the first wor
king day following the end of the 10-day period. Based on such information, the Board may proceed to disqualify one or
more candidates.
o Voting will begin on the first working Monday after the period specified above and will remain open for 7 calendar day
s.
o A difference of less than 10% will be considered a tie. In this case, if there are more than two candidates, runoff vo
ting among the two candidates with the highest number of votes will begin the following working Monday and will remain o
pen for 7 calendar days.
o LACNIC will immediately announce the results of the first voting round as well as those of the runoff vote if applicab
le.
o If any objections are raised by a member of the community, such objections must be communicated to the Board within 7
calendar days of the announcement of the results. In this case, the Board will assess whether such objections are signif
icant and have been proven. If no objections are raised, or if the Board decides not to consider such objections, it wil
l proceed to ratify the winning candidate.
o The elected chair will begin their term immediately after the closing of the next Public Policy Forum.
o If it were not possible to ratify a candidate, the LACNIC Board will appoint a chair to fill the vacant position until
the following Public Policy Forum. The next time an election and ratification process can be held, the person elected w
ill only fill the position for the remainder of the original term. This same mechanism will apply, if necessary, in case
either of the chairs resigns before the end of their term or for any reason fails to meet their responsibilities.
o The LACNIC Board is the highest instance of appeal in matters relating to the election process.

Additional information

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References

Equivalent policies or procedures defined by the community, for the same purpose, also exist in the other regions.
In the case of AfriNIC, candidate nominations are reviewed by a Nominations Committee (NomCom).
• https://www.afrinic.net/policy/development-working-group#election
In the case of APNIC, in order to be elected by the community, candidates must have specific knowledge and expertise tha
t varies depending on each specific working group.
• https://www.apnic.net/community/participate/sigs/sig-guidelines/chair-elections/
In the case of ARIN, instead of chairs, they have an “Advisory Council” (AC) whose members are elected through a NomCom.
This NomCom assesses candidates based on a set of skills and considering their expertise and prior participation, using
a candidate qualification questionnaire.
• https://www.arin.net/participate/oversight/elections/
• https://www.arin.net/participate/oversight/elections/procedures/
In the case of RIPE, the chair selection process is established by the participants of each working group. These process
es are generally similar and share a common link, with expectations of the work to be done, knowledge of this work, etc.
, etc.
• https://www.ripe.net/participate/ripe/wg/ap/address-policy-wg-chair-selection-process
• https://www.ripe.net/publications/docs/ripe-692

Equivalent policies or procedures defined by the community for the same purpose also exist in the other regions.
In the case of AfriNIC, candidate nominations are reviewed by a Nominations Committee (NomCom).
• https://www.afrinic.net/policy/development-working-group#election
In the case of APNIC, in order to be elected by the community, candidates must have specific knowledge and expertise, wh
ich varies for each specific working group.
• https://www.apnic.net/community/participate/sigs/sig-guidelines/chair-elections/
In the case of ARIN, instead of chairs, they have an “Advisory Council” (AC) whose members are elected through a NomCom
that assesses candidates based on a set of skills as well as their expertise and prior participation, using a candidate
qualification questionnaire.
• https://www.arin.net/participate/oversight/elections/
• https://www.arin.net/participate/oversight/elections/procedures/
In the case of RIPE, the chair selection process is established by the participants of each working group. Nevertheless,
they are generally similar and share a common link, with expectations of the work to be done, knowledge of this work, e
tc.
• https://www.ripe.net/participate/ripe/wg/ap/address-policy-wg-chair-selection-process
• https://www.ripe.net/publications/docs/ripe-692