6.1 General Principles
6.1.1 The Federation shall be governed democratically with clear separation of powers between:
(a) The General Assembly (supreme legislative and electoral authority);
(b) The Board (strategic and policy-making authority);
(c) The Executive Committee (operational decision making);
(d) The Secretariat (administrative implementation).
6.1.2 All governance bodies shall act within their defined mandates and maintain independence from government interference in technical and electoral matters, consistent with the requirements of the Federation's recognised international federation and the Olympic Charter.
6.1.3 The governance structure shall ensure representation of all voting member categories in Federation decision-making, with transitional provisions as specified in Schedule 2.
6.2 The General Assembly
6.2.1 Status and Authority
6.2.1.1 The General Assembly is the supreme decision-making body of the Federation.
6.2.1.2 The General Assembly shall exercise all powers not delegated to other bodies by this Constitution.
6.2.1.3 Decisions of the General Assembly are binding on all Federation organs and members.
6.2.2 Composition
6.2.2.1 The General Assembly consists of:
(a) Delegates representing State Associations and Special Members;
(b) Direct representatives of such other voting member categories as the General Assembly shall determine from time to time by regulation, to ensure democratic representation of all voting members;
(c) Non-voting participants, including Board members, Committee Chairs, and invited observers from recognised international and national sporting bodies.
6.2.2.2 The General Assembly shall, within four years of the adoption of this Constitution, establish and implement mechanisms for direct representation of all voting member categories specified in Article 5.1.1.
6.2.2.3 Pending implementation of full representation under clause 6.2.2.2, the composition and voting rights of the General Assembly shall be as specified in Schedule 2.
6.2.3 Exclusive Powers
6.2.3.1 The General Assembly has exclusive power to:
(a) Elect and remove Board members;
(b) Amend this Constitution;
(c) Approve annual audited accounts and budgets;
(d) Appoint and remove external auditors;
(e) Dissolve the Federation;
(f) Ratify disciplinary expulsions;
(g) Approve strategic plans and major policies;
(h) Establish and dissolve standing and ad hoc committees;
(i) Override Board decisions by special resolution;
(j) Refer matters to independent tribunals;
(k) Determine mechanisms for representation of voting member categories.
6.2.4 Meetings
6.2.4.1 The General Assembly shall meet annually and may be convened extraordinarily as specified in Schedule 2.
6.2.4.2 Meeting procedures, including notice periods, quorum requirements, and voting methods, shall be specified in the Bye-Laws and Schedule 2.
6.3 The Governing Board
6.3.1 Status and Mandate
6.3.1.1 The Board shall be the strategic governing body responsible for the affairs of the Federation.
6.3.1.2 The Board decides all matters not reserved for the General Assembly.
6.3.1.3 The Board delegates day-to-day operations to the Executive Committee and the Secretariat.
6.3.2 Composition
6.3.2.1 The Board shall comprise not fewer than 12 and not more than 20 voting members, including:
(a) Executive officers (President and Vice-Presidents) elected by the General Assembly;
(b) Geographic representatives elected by the General Assembly from zones as defined in the Bye-Laws;
(c) Functional representatives for technical development, para sport, gender equity, and such other matters as the General Assembly determines necessary;
(d) Stakeholder representatives for athletes, coaches, clubs, and other member categories as specified in Schedule 2;
(e) The Secretary-General and Treasurer as ex officio non-voting members;
(f) A Legal Adviser appointed by the Board as a non-voting member.
6.3.2.2 The specific positions, allocation of roles, and election procedures shall be as specified in Schedule 2, which may be amended by the General Assembly by simple majority.
6.3.2.3 The Board shall ensure that at least 30 percent of its voting members are women, and that para sport and youth interests are represented.
6.3.3 Eligibility and Tenure
6.3.3.1 Board members serve terms of 4 years, renewable for a maximum of 2 additional terms.
6.3.3.2 No person shall serve more than 12 years in aggregate on the Board. A partial term exceeding 24 months shall count as a full term.
6.3.3.3 After serving the maximum terms, a person shall be ineligible for election to the Board for a period of 4 years.
6.3.3.4 No person shall be elected or serve on the Board after attaining the age of 70 years.
6.3.3.5 No person shall be eligible for Board membership who:
(a) Has been convicted of a felony or crime involving dishonesty;
(b) Has been sanctioned for a major ethics breach by the Federation's recognised international federation, the National Olympic Committee, or an international sports tribunal;
(c) Is an undischarged bankrupt;
(d) Has been declared mentally incapacitated by a competent authority;
(e) Is subject to a disciplinary sanction under Schedule 4 that disqualifies from office.
6.3.3.6 Candidates must declare conflicts of interest and abstain from related decisions as specified in Schedule 2.
6.3.4 Functions
6.3.4.1 The Board shall:
(a) Implement policies and resolutions of the General Assembly;
(b) Supervise the work of Committees and the Secretariat;
(c) Enforce safety, ethics, and disciplinary standards;
(d) Ensure financial accountability and approve annual budgets;
(e) Represent the Federation in legal and official matters;
(f) Enter into agreements and contracts;
(g) Appoint and supervise the Secretary-General;
(h) Approve major expenditures above thresholds established by the General Assembly;
(i) Exercise such other powers as are necessary for the governance of the Federation, consistent with this Constitution.
6.3.5 Meetings and Procedures
6.3.5.1 The Board meets regularly and may convene extraordinarily as specified in Schedule 2.
6.3.5.2 Meeting procedures, including notice periods, quorum, and voting, shall be specified in Schedule 2.
6.3.5.3 Casual vacancies shall be filled as specified in Schedule 2.
6.4 The Executive Committee
6.4.1 Composition
6.4.1.1 The Executive Committee comprises:
(a) The President (Chair);
(b) The Vice-Presidents;
(c) The Secretary-General.
6.4.2 Mandate
6.4.2.1 The Executive Committee ensures agility in day-to-day decision-making.
6.4.2.2 The Executive Committee decides matters requiring urgent response.
6.4.2.3 The Executive Committee implements Board decisions.
6.4.2.4 The Executive Committee exercises powers delegated by the Board.
6.4.3 Limitations and Accountability
6.4.3.1 The powers, limitations, and accountability mechanisms of the Executive Committee, including expenditure authority and ratification requirements, shall be specified in Schedule 3.
6.5 The Secretariat
6.5.1 Status and Leadership
6.5.1.1 The Secretariat is the administrative arm of the Federation, headed by the Secretary-General.
6.5.1.2 The structure and staffing of the Secretariat shall be determined by the Board to implement Federation objectives.
6.5.2 Secretary-General
6.5.2.1 The Secretary-General is responsible to the Board.
6.5.2.2 The Secretary-General need not be a member of the Federation.
6.5.2.3 The Secretary-General shall be a person of proven administrative ability and integrity.
6.5.2.4 The functions of the Secretary-General include:
(a) Day-to-day administration of Federation affairs;
(b) Implementation of Board and Executive Committee decisions;
(c) Custody of Federation records, seal, and property;
(d) Preparation of meetings and maintenance of minutes;
(e) Correspondence and communications;
(f) Maintenance of the National Registry.
6.5.2.5 The terms and conditions of appointment, performance evaluation, and removal procedures for the Secretary-General shall be specified in Schedule 2.
6.5.3 Other Secretariat Positions
6.5.3.1 Other positions in the Secretariat, including directors and technical officers, shall be established and filled as specified in Schedule 2.