1. Proposals of candidature must be deposited in writing with the Permanent Secretary. Such proposals should include supporting arguments by two members of different nationalities. Proposals for effective membership must be made by effective members. Proposals for corresponding membership may be made by effective or corresponding members, and should contain precise references to works in the history of science.
No-one may be proposed as an effective member who has not already been a corresponding member for at least three years.
2. In line with a timetable established by the Permanent Secretary, the proposals for candidates are submitted to the Council, which is charged with deciding (i) the number of places to be filled ; and (ii) which proposals are acceptable. Among them, in case of need, the Council establishes an order of preference.
3. The ballot is opened to the effective membership by the Permanent Secretary. The counting of votes is performed at the headquarters of the Academy by a special committee of at least three members. Voting papers on which a voter marks more names than there are places vacant will be declared null and void. Those entitled to be on this committee are members of Council. The Permanent Secretary will be ex officio chairman. Voting papers on which a voter marks more names than there are places put to the vote will be declared null and void.
Candidates are to be proclaimed elected in decreasing order of votes (as received before the announced deadline), up to the number of places available in each category, a condition being that no candidate may be elected who fails to obtain at least half of the votes cast.
If there are two or more candidates in the last available place with an identical number of votes, and their election would entail filling more than the number of places announced at the time of the distribution of ballot papers, none of those candidates shall be deemed elected.
Candidates who are not elected, and who have obtained at least five votes, are automatically presented at the following election, subject to one further condition : candidates who have been unsuccessful in two consecutive ballots, even though they have obtained more than five votes on each occasion, may not be entered for the election next following. Such candidates may be presented again, on a new initiative, after that interruption.
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