Council Nucleus Elections 2026-2028

Councils Rules of Governance: eligibility criteria

The ESC Councils election application process and voting will be carried out in accordance with the ESC bylaws (Annex VII).

Who can apply  

Only Members from the respective councils originating from an ESC member country (as defined in article 3 of ESC Statutes, see here) are eligible to a Nucleus position. They must also be ESC Professional Members or FESC and members from the respective Councils in good standing holding voting rights at the date of the opening of the call for applications. 

Voting rights 

The minimum seniority for Councils Members to obtain voting rights is 6 months before the opening of the call for application. Only Councils Members having settled their membership dues by 13/10/25 (i.e.: 6 months before the call for candidates opening on 13/04/26) and with a valid membership subscription at the time the voting starts (10/06/26 ) will have voting rights. 

The list of candidates will be published by 09/06/26. 

Application Process 

Applications are now open and must be submitted by 04/05/26 23:59 CEST. 

In all the Councils’ elections, the following rules must be respected: 

• All candidates have to sign the Council elections statement and candidate code of conduct, and to submit their Declaration of interest (DOI) prior to the start of the election process. If this requirement is not fulfilled, the candidate will not be accepted.
• To stand for election, candidates must be ESC Professional Members or FESC and Members from the respective council in good standing holding voting rights at the date of the opening of the call for applications.
• Only Council members holding a valid membership 6 months ahead of an election (i.e when the call for applications opens) and still member when the voting platform opens, have voting rights. As of 2028 elections, members must hold a valid membership at least 12 months ahead of the opening of the call for applications.
• Limitations of cumulative positions within the ESC: in order to ensure a renewal within the ESC and a good internal functioning, a Councils Board Member may not hold more than three leadership positions at the same time. Sitting on the nucleus of an ESC Working Group or Council or the Board of an Association as voting member is counted as one leadership position. A candidate who already holds three offices may therefore not stand for election or be proposed as a candidate, except if one of his/her term of office expires before the new functions start. 
• Limitation of representation within ESC Councils: nucleus members cannot be elected to more than one ESC Council Nucleus.
• Limitation of representation within ESC Constituent Bodies: for the duration of their mandates, nucleus members cannot simultaneously hold another position as an elected Nucleus / Board Member in an ESC Association, Working Group or another Council, unless if co-opted in a non-voting position  Members of the Nominating Committee including the Immediate Past-President cannot vote in elections.
• If the candidate’s situation towards above rules changes after voting has taken place, the candidate must inform the Nominating Committee which will decide on further actions, including the possible annulment of the election.
• A candidate can apply to only one voting Nucleus position.
• Representatives and employees from healthcare industry companies are not eligible to Councils Board and Nominating Committee positions.
  

Candidates for the position of Chairperson-Elect: 

• Must be currently serving or have served in the immediate previous Nucleus within the relevant Council, excepting the Immediate Past-Chairperson. The elected candidate will automatically become Chairperson two years later.   

  Individuals not eligible 

• Representatives and employees from healthcare industry companies are not eligible to ABCD Board positions and Nominating committee positions. 

• Members of the current (2024-2026) Nominating Committee cannot be candidates for the election performed under that Nominating Committee’s mandate. 

Before applying please: 

• Check the full rules and eligibility criteria above 
• Read the Job description and profiling document for each elected position
• Read the ESC statutes.
• Read the ESC bylaws and ESC Councils Rules of Governance (Annex VII)
• Read the Code of Conduct for Elections for ESC & ESC Constituent Bodies (Article 7.1 of ESC bylaws)
• Read the ESC Ethical Conduct Policy (Annexe II of the ESC bylaws) 
• Read the ESC Declaration and Management of Conflict of Interest Policy (Annexe III of the ESC bylaws)
• Read the ESC Gender Policy

Additional Requirements 

• Proficiency in English 
• An active professional career at the time of taking office 

For more information, refer to the ESC Bylaws or please contact us at councils@escardio.org  if you have any questions.