Key Dates

  • 13 October 2025: Voting rights eligibility deadline
  • 13 April – 4 May 2026: Call for candidates
  • 5-25 May 2026: Review of applications
  • 10-24 June 2026: Online voting
  • 1-15 July 2026: Second round of online voting (if applicable)
  • August 2026: Announcement of the results on the Working Groups website

Open positions within the nucleus

  • 1 Chairperson-Elect
  • 1 Secretary/Treasurer
  • 8 Voting nucleus members  

Read the job descriptions.

Working Groups Rules of Governance: eligibility criteria

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

Who can apply  

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

Voting rights 

The minimum seniority for Working Groups Members to obtain voting rights is 6 months before the opening of the call for application. Only Working Groups 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 Working Groups’ elections, the following rules must be respected: 

  1. All candidates have to sign the Working Group election statement and candidate code of conduct, and to submit their Declaration of interest (DOI) prior to the start of the election process. Only Working Group 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.
  2. Limitations of cumulative positions: a Working Group Nucleus Member may not hold more than three leadership positions at the same time. Sitting on the nucleus of an ESC Working Group 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.
  3. Limitation of representation within ESC Working Groups: no individual can be elected to more than one ESC Working Group nucleus. 
  4. Limitation of representation within ESC Constituent Bodies: for the duration of their mandates, voting nucleus members cannot simultaneously hold another position as an elected nucleus / board member in another ESC Working Group, Association, or Council, unless if co-opted in a non-voting position.
  5.  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.
  6. Representatives and employees from healthcare industry companies are not eligible to Working Group Nucleus positions.

Candidates for the position of Chairperson-Elect: 

  • Must be currently serving or have served in the current and immediate previous Nucleus as voting members within the relevant Working Group. They will receive the call for candidates prepared by the Nominating Committee.  
  • Must have spent no more than 6 years on the nucleus they are applying to (consecutive or not, either as a voting or appointed member). 
  • Must not have been already elected to the chairperson position in the same Working Group

Candidates for the positions of voting nucleus members (including Secretary/Treasurer): 

  • Must have spent no more than 10 years on the nucleus they are applying to (consecutive or not, either as a voting or appointed member)
  • Must demonstrate that they are professionally active Ex-officio Nucleus members are eligible for future elected Nucleus positions under the condition that they held another position (not as ex-officio) in previous mandates and comply with the other requirements of the Working Groups.  

  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 :

 

Additional Requirements 

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

 

Apply today

 

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