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RCN calls extraordinary general meeting over suspended presidential election

College was under pressure to allow EGM after disqualifying candidates

RCN members unhappy about suspended poll will want to hold leadership to account

The RCN’s ruling council has sanctioned a review of the presidential election process

The RCN will hold an extraordinary general meeting (EGM) in November after members called for action over the disqualification of candidates in its presidential campaign.

The presidential campaign was suspended in August when two candidates, the incumbent Anne Marie Rafferty, and Stuart McKenzie, were disqualified for breaching RCN election rules.

Anne Marie Rafferty

Candidate disqualifications were contested among members

The validity of the disqualifications was disputed, with more than 1,000 college members signing a petition calling for an EGM to discuss the matter.

They were insisting on an EGM because the rules of such a meeting would allow members to control the agenda.

An RCN spokesperson said a fresh presidential election campaign would not begin until after the EGM, the date of which is yet to be confirmed.

The spokesperson said that the RCN’s ruling council has approved an independent review of the college’s presidential election process and commissioned research to explore issues raised in a recent governance review.

The power of the EGM in recent RCN history

The decision to hold an EGM is the second in recent years.

In 2018, an EGM was called by 1,000 members over the college’s miscommunication of the NHS pay deal in England.

This meeting led to a vote of no confidence in the college’s leadership and the resignation of the then RCN Council.


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