[ad_1]
SINGAPORE: Some meetings in Singapore may continue to be held electronically until the end of June next year, with new provisions for real-time electronic voting.
Amendments to orders related to alternative meeting arrangements under the COVID-19 (Temporary Measures) Act went into effect on Tuesday (September 29), the Ministry of Law (MinLaw) said in a press release.
Under the amendments, the reunion orders will now run through June 30, 2021, after they expired on Wednesday. The orders went into effect on March 27 as part of measures to curb the spread of COVID-19 in Singapore.
The amendments refine the provisions of the orders to facilitate “greater convenience and participation for virtual meetings,” the ministry said.
They also extend the provisions for postponement of meetings of some holders, to provide “these entities an additional grace period to overcome practical difficulties in organizing meetings.”
Employees have been told to work from home since the onset of the pandemic to limit the spread of the coronavirus. Last week, the Ministry of Health (MOH) eased restrictions to allow more people to return to their workplaces, but added that working from home remains “the default mode.”
READ: COVID-19: More People Allowed to Return to Workplace, Subject to Conditions Like Capacity Limits
REFINATIONS TO THE MEETINGS
Real-time electronic voting will be allowed for some types of meetings held on or after October 1, provided that “certain prescribed safeguards” are adopted and attendees can still vote by designating the chair or coordinator as their proxy.
This provision applies to general meetings of most entities, except for management companies and subsidiary management companies, as well as meetings related to insolvency and bankruptcy.
Existing alternative arrangements that provide for electronic voting remain unchanged, the ministry said.
Modifications have also been made to clarify that entities have the option of asking questions and answers in real time through electronic means, provided that they also allow attendees to present the issues they wish to raise by post or email prior to the meeting. .
The amendments also clarify that entities have the option of using other electronic means, including AGM virtual platforms, to accept presentations and proxy instruments signed by attendees prior to the meeting, provided they also allow such submissions by post or post. electronic.
READ: Comment: This is the end of business conferences as we know them.
EXTENDED POSITION FOR SOME MEETINGS
The amendments also extend postponement provisions for some meetings, MinLaw said.
The postponement provision is extended for the following meetings, which may be held no later than December 31, 2020:
– General and board meetings of charities and registered companies.
– General meetings of cooperative societies, mutuals, management companies (even for collective sale purposes) and subsidiary management companies
– Meetings of unions and their executives and subsidiaries
READ: Digital Venues and Virtual Booths: How Hybrid MICE Events Can Be Put to the Test
The deferral provision in meeting orders is not extended for the following meetings:
– Town hall meetings and town council committees
– Meetings of school management committees and school boards of directors
– Meetings related to bankruptcy and insolvency
No deferral provisions are maintained for general meetings of companies, variable capital companies, business trusts, unit trusts, bondholders and collective sale committee meetings, the ministry said.
CHECK THIS: Our comprehensive coverage of the coronavirus outbreak and its developments
Download our app or subscribe to our Telegram channel for the latest updates on the coronavirus outbreak: https://cna.asia/telegram
