Section 44. Prohibition to hold office of chairperson or president or vice-chairperson or vice-president in certain cases

44. Prohibition to hold office of chairperson or president or vice-chairperson or vice-president in certain cases.— (1) No member of a board shall be eligible to be elected as the chairperson or president or vice-chairperson or vice-president of a multi-State co-operative society if such member is a Minister in the Central Government or a State Government. (2) No member of a board shall be eligible to be elected as the chairperson or president of a multi-State co-operative society, after he has held the office, as such during two consecutive terms, whether full or part: Provided that a member who has ceased to hold the office of the chairperson or president continuously for one full term shall again be eligible for election to the office as such. Explanation .— Where any member holding the office of the chairperson or president at the commencement of this Act is again elected to that office after such commencement, he shall for the purpose of this section, be deemed to have held office for one term before such election. 2[45. Establishment of Cooperative Election Authority.— (1) The Central Government shall, by notification, establish an Authority to be known as the Co-operative Election Authority which shall consist of a Chairperson, a Vice-Chairperson and Members not exceeding three to be appointed by the Central Government on the recommendation of the Selection Committee consisting of such persons as may be prescribed. (2) The head office of the Authority shall be at such place as may be notified by the Central Government. (3) The election of the members of the board shall be held in the general meeting of the members of the multi-State co-operative society. (i) Chairperson of the Authority unless he held the post of Additional Secretary to the Government of India or equivalent rank; (ii) Vice-Chairperson of the Authority unless he held the post of Joint Secretary to the Government of India or equivalent rank; and (iii) Member unless he fulfils such qualification and experience as may be prescribed (4) The Chairperson, Vice-Chairperson or Member of the Authority shall hold office for a period of three years from the date on which they enter upon their office or until they attain the age of sixty-five years, whichever is earlier and they shall be eligible for re-appointment: Provided that in case of appointment of a Government servant as a Chairperson, Vice-Chairperson or a Member, he shall be treated as an ex officio Member and he shall continue so long as he holds the office by virtue of which he is a Chairperson, Vice-Chairperson or Member. (5) The salaries and allowances payable to, and the other terms and conditions of service of the Chairperson, Vice-Chairperson and Members of the Authority, other than the ex officio Member, shall be such as may be prescribed. 1. Ins. by Act 11 of 2023, s. 16 (w.e.f. 3-8-2023). 2. Subs. by s. 17, ibid ., for section 45 (w.e.f. 3-8-2023).