Short Answer

The society must update its electoral roll of members annually.

Detailed Explanation

Section 27 of the Gujarat Cooperative Societies Act, 1961 mandates that every society shall maintain a list of its members, known as the electoral roll, and keep it up to date. Rule 23 of the Gujarat Cooperative Societies Rules, 1965 further specifies that this electoral roll must be revised and updated at least once every year. This means that the society must review and make necessary changes to the list of its members annually to ensure it reflects the current membership status.

In practice, updating the electoral roll involves verifying the existing members, adding new members, removing deceased or expelled members, and making any other necessary amendments. This process helps in maintaining an accurate record of the society's membership, which is crucial for conducting fair and transparent elections and decision-making processes.

For example, let's consider a scenario where a cooperative housing society in Gujarat is preparing for its annual general body meeting. As part of the preparations, the society's secretary initiates the process of updating the electoral roll by sending out notices to all members to confirm their details and inform about any changes in membership status. Members are given a specified period to respond and provide updated information. Once all responses are received, the electoral roll is revised accordingly.

Another scenario could involve a cooperative credit society that has recently admitted new members and also had a few members resign. In this case, the society's committee convenes a meeting to review the membership list, make necessary updates, and ensure that the electoral roll accurately reflects the current composition of the society.

In summary, the Gujarat Cooperative Societies Act and Rules require societies to update their electoral roll of members at least once a year to maintain an accurate record of membership for effective governance and decision-making processes.

References

• Section 27 of the Gujarat Cooperative Societies Act, 1961: Official PDF

• Rule 23 of the Gujarat Cooperative Societies Rules, 1965: Official PDF