COCI election voting could extend to 3pm under proposed changes

COCI President Tamara Leonard said proposed changes to the Chamber of Commerce and Industry’s election rules include extending voting hours from the usual morning period to at least 3pm AST. Leonard said the draft amendments are complete and expected to be submitted to the responsible minister before the end of 2026.

Leonard said the proposed longer hours would not be in place for COCI’s December election. The nomination period for that election opens on Friday 30 October and closes at noon on Monday 16 November 2026, according to COCI.

COCI has said three positions on its nine-member Board of Directors will become vacant on 1 January 2027 and will be filled through the election. Board members serve three-year terms, with part of the board rotating each year.

Leonard said current board members had asked her to continue as president, but she did not announce whether she would seek another term. The president, vice president and treasurer are selected through internal board procedures rather than directly by the wider business community.