This page outlines the procedure for making nominations for the election of the NIPSA General Secretary 2026. Branches must take immediate action to ensure their nominations comply with the deadline of 2:00 p.m. on Friday 22 May 2026.

Regulations for the election of the General Secretary are available by clicking the button above. Your Branch Committee should consider these regulations carefully. Branches and candidates must ensure strict compliance, as failure to do so may result in the disqualification of a candidate.

I would also draw your attention to the following points:

Nomination Procedures

• Eligibility: Nominations for the General Secretary can be made only by NIPSA Branches at properly convened general meetings. This includes remote meetings (e.g., Webex, Zoom, Teams, etc.).
• Validity: A nomination is only valid if submitted on an official nomination form and certified by a Branch Officer, confirming that rules relating to branch meetings were followed.
• Meeting Details: The date, time, location, or digital platform of the meeting must be provided. Digital or typed signatures are acceptable where signatures are required.
• Submission: Nominations may be submitted online using Form 2a (via the button at the top of the page) or by requesting a paper form from Catherine Arkinson at NIPSA HQ.

Candidate Consent and Details

Each candidate must signify their consent to their nomination. It is vital that Branches obtain this consent, as NIPSA Headquarters cannot follow up on incomplete forms.

For each candidate, the nomination form must include:

• Full forename and surname.
• Address and grade.
• NIPSA Branch number.
• Signature of consent to act if elected.

Completed nomination forms must reach me by 2:00 p.m. on Friday 22 May 2026.

Election Addresses

A written or digital election address of up to 500 words may be submitted by candidates for election to the General Secretary position. Election addresses can be submitted online using Form 2b (via the button at the top of the page) or by requesting a paper form from Catherine Arkinson at NIPSA HQ.

Completed election addresses must reach me by 2:00 p.m. on Friday 22 May 2026.

Technical Notes

An acknowledgment and a copy of the addresses will be issued automatically by email to the person submitting the forms. If you do not receive a submission email for your online form(s), please:

1. Check that emails from communications@nipsa.co.uk are permitted by your local I.T. security.
2. Check your Junk/Spam folders.
3. Approve or "whitelist" our email address with your local I.T. Administrator.

All information received will be treated in accordance with our Data Protection Policy/Privacy Notice, which is available online.

Please make immediate arrangements for your Branch to hold a meeting to decide on its nominations. Ensure there is sufficient time for your Branch and candidates to submit all necessary papers by 2:00 p.m. on Friday 22 May 2026.

Paper forms should be returned to:

Catherine Arkinson
54 Wellington Park
Belfast
BT9 6DP

Carmel Gates

General Secretary