Elections for board members of the Chamber of Commerce & Industry Bonaire
On 1 January 2022, the Elections Decree for the Chambers of Commerce and Industry BES was renewed. The modernization of these laws and regulations will enable the Bonaire Chamber of Commerce (KvK) to perform its tasks more efficiently and effectively and in a way that fits in with the spirit of our time. Among other things, this new legislation has consequences for the way in which elections for the Chamber of Commerce board members will be held from now on. We would like to draw your attention to the most important changes that have taken place.
A distinction will no longer be made between representatives of large companies and small companies. Elections will now take place every three years instead of annually. In these elections, the entire board (consisting of five members) will be elected at the same time, instead of as each board member’s tenure expires. Candidates may stand for election between 1 and 14 November. The elections will be held within 30 days of this time period. If, in the interim, board members (are forced to) resign, no elections will be held as long as at least three board members remain. If there are less than three board members remaining, the Executive Council of the Public Entity Bonaire will appoint a board member for the remaining term of office. Elections are only held when there are more than five candidates.
In accordance with this new legislation, all current members of the Chamber of Commerce board will resign at the end of 2022 and an election will be held for new directors for the entire board. Current board members may stand for re-election unless doing so would exceed the maximum term of office. The board members are elected by the representatives of companies and legal entities that are registered in the Commercial Register on the day of the election, with the exception of associations and foundations. If there are no more than five candidates, no election will need to take place to appoint the new board members from 1 January, 2023.
In order to be eligible for election, nominations must be supported by 15 registered representatives of companies and legal entities (that are not associations or foundations). Candidates standing for election must also be registered in the Commercial Register as a company director, must be at least 18 years old on the day of the election and must have been registered as a resident of Bonaire for the last two years.
In addition to these changes, a new election procedure has also been established. This means that the Chamber of Commerce will no longer publish electoral lists and that no convocation cards will be sent out for elections. The time and place of elections will be announced in the media and in a general announcement sent to the email addresses of the registered companies and legal entities on file with the Chamber of Commerce. Candidates who wish to stand for election must make this known to the Chamber of Commerce between 1 and 14 November in accordance with the prescribed procedure. The final list of candidates will be announced in the media at the end of November 2022. We ask all entrepreneurs to keep a close eye on the media and their email in order to stay informed about the upcoming election for the Chamber of Commerce board.
Further information may be requested by email: handelsregister@kvkbonaire.com.