QUESTIONS & ANSWERS
The elections for BWF Council (2025 – 2029) will take place at the BWF AGM on Saturday 26 April 2025, in Xiamen, China.
The questions and answers on this page will help Members and nominees to understand the processes towards the election – nomination, vetting, campaigns and opportunities to promote your candidacy.
These positions are open for elections:
– President (1)
– Deputy President (1)
– Vice President Para Badminton (1)
– Ordinary Council members (20 positions)
Those elected will serve for a four year term (2025 – 2029).
There are no formal requirements related to badminton or other experience or expertise to become a BWF Council member.
There are however requirements around “Eligibility” and this is confirmed through a vetting process of each Nominee.
Clause 17.2 of the BWF Constitution states: “To be a Candidate for election to the Council, and to remain on the Council, an individual must be Eligible”.
For information on the criteria to be Eligible, see Clause 2.3 of the BWF Vetting Rules (BWF Constitution, Appendix II).
Yes. For example, an individual may decide to nominate for the Deputy President’s position AND an Ordinary Council member position.
The elections are completed in this order during the AGM 2025:
- 1st election – President
- 2nd election – Deputy President
- 3rd election – Vice President Para Badminton
- 4th election – Ordinary Council members
If someone is nominated for the Deputy President, and they are not elected, they will still be in the 4th election – for Ordinary Council members.
However – if they win the Deputy President’s election, they will not be included in the 4th election because they have already ben elected as BWF Deputy President.
Friday 6 December 2024
Nominations must reach the BWF no later than midnight (Kuala Lumpur time) on that day.
These are the conditions for a valid nomination:
- The nomination is made in writing by a Member in Good Standing* (Form A – completed and signed by the President and a signed nomination letter from the Member Association).
- The nomination must be “seconded” (endorsed) by a different Member in Good standing (a signed letter).
- Both these must arrive at the BWF no later than midnight (KL time) on 6 December 2024.
* Member in Good Standing – means a Member who: 1) does not have any subscriptions due (Clause 26); 2) is not under suspension (Clauses 13.5 –13.10); and 2) who has submitted a completed Schedule A to the Federation for the current year (Clause 13.1).
Nominees must complete 2 forms:
- Form B – Nominee’s Profile Form – complete and send this to the BWF.
- Form C – Vetting Declaration Form – complete and send this to the Vetting Officer.
Within 5 days of the close of nominations, BWF will publish a Nominations List and a profile of each Nominee for each position. The BWF will then inform the membership. The election campaign begins.
Nominees also have an opportunity to create a short 5 minute video to promote themselves in the election campaign. BWF will also publish this on the website.
After the Closing Date, the vetting of Nominees starts.
Every Nominee must be vetted by the Independent Vetting Panel (IVP) and be declared “Eligible” by the IVP in order to become an official ‘Candidate’ for the elections.
“Eligibility” is determined through a vetting process. Each Nominee must complete a Vetting Declaration Form. The information provided on this form is used in the vetting process. The IVP will collect more information on each Nominee through a third party provider (background checks) which is also used in vetting Nominees.
The IVP then checks the background information on the Nominee against the Eligibility Criteria of the BWF Vetting Rules (BWF Constitution, Appendix II – Clause 2.3).
If vetting is successful, the IVP will declare the Nominee “Eligible” and they will officially become a Candidate for the elections.
More information – About Vetting.
Election campaigns start as soon as the BWF publishes the List of Nominees on or before 11 December 2024.
Candidates for elections must follow the Code of Conduct for Candidates for Elections (linked here).
The Code of Conduct:
- sets rules on what is reasonable and ethical conduct in a campaign;
- provides guidance for Candidates on how they should conduct their campaigns;
- provides guidance on the role of others in election campaigns.
Clauses 5.1 to 5.16 of the Code details what Candidates for elections can and cannot do.
Any potential breach of the Code may be referred to a Judicial Process.
Clauses 5.1 to 5.16 of the Code of Conduct for Candidates for Elections detail what Candidates for elections must / can do. Here are some examples from the Code.
Candidates shall:
- run election campaigns with dignity and moderation;
- show respect for other candidates;
- show respect for the democratic voting and/or election process;
- promote their candidature subject to the provisions of the Code of Conduct.
Read Clauses 5.1 to 5.16 of the Code of Conduct for Candidates for Elections for the detail.
Clauses 5.1 to 5.16 of the Code of Conduct for Candidates for Elections details what Candidates for elections must not do. Here are some examples.
Candidates:
- must not accept paid travel, expenses, accommodation from other Candidates, their representatives, Member Associations or Continental Confederations to attend meetings and activities directly related to their elections;
- must not give presents, gifts, offer donations, or grant advantages of whatever nature;
- must not offer material benefits (directly or indirectly) to the voting constituencies / voting delegates to influence election results;
- must not enter into any promise or undertaking for direct or indirect benefit of a Member, a group of Members, an organisation, region or partner;
- must not request support or service from BWF staff related to their candidature;
- must not make negative, derogatory or personal comments in relation to BWF elected officials and staff through social media.