Short Answer

Yes, family members of committee members can vote in society elections, but they cannot stand for election if they are related to a committee member.

Detailed Explanation

Section 73 of the Gujarat Cooperative Societies Act, 1961 addresses the disqualifications for being a committee member. It states that a person shall be disqualified from being elected or appointed as a committee member if they are a spouse, parent, child, brother, or sister of an existing committee member. This means that family members of committee members cannot stand for election to the committee.

Furthermore, Rule 56 of the Gujarat Cooperative Societies Rules, 1965 specifies the eligibility criteria for voters in society elections. It allows family members of committee members to vote in the elections. However, they are not eligible to contest the elections themselves if they fall under the disqualification criteria mentioned in Section 73 of the Act.

In practice, this means that while family members of committee members can participate in the democratic process by casting their votes, they are restricted from holding a position on the committee if they are closely related to an existing committee member. This provision aims to prevent nepotism and conflicts of interest within the cooperative society.

For example, if Mr. Patel is a committee member of a cooperative society, his wife, children, siblings, or parents can vote in the society elections. However, none of them can stand for election to become committee members due to the disqualification under Section 73 of the Act.

Another scenario could be where a committee member's brother wants to contest the elections. In this case, the brother would be disqualified from standing for election as a committee member because of the familial relationship with an existing committee member.

In summary, family members of committee members are allowed to vote in society elections but are prohibited from standing for election to the committee if they are closely related to an existing committee member.

References

• Section 73 of the Gujarat Cooperative Societies Act, 1961: Official PDF

• Rule 56 of the Gujarat Cooperative Societies Rules, 1965: Official PDF