19. Procedure for conduct of elections
(1) The election of members of the board shall be conducted by a returning officer appointed by the board in its meeting. The returning officer so appointed shall not be a member or an employee of the society:
Provided, that the Central Registrar shall appoint the returning officer to conduct the election of the National multi-state cooperative societies, multi-state urban cooperative banks, multi-stage agricultural processing cooperatives and Railway Employees Credit Societies. The Central Registrar may also appoint returning officer for the conduct of a election of a society if so requested by the board of Directors of such society.
(2) The election of the members of the board referred to in sub-rule (1) shall be conducted by secret ballot in the manner as specified in the schedule attached with these rules.