Elections Central
a service of ICN’s Election Committee
NOTICE OF ANNUAL ELECTIONS OF ICN BOARD FOR 2025
Alhamdulillah, another calendar year is about to end. According to the bylaws of the Islamic Center of Naperville, we must hold elections each year to elect replacements for the board members whose term expires at the end of the year; and elect new members of the BOARD OF DIRECTORS for the next two years.
As members of ICN, it is our privilege and obligation to participate in this ongoing process of determining our leadership.
Insha Allah, this year’s elections will be held as follows:
● Starting on Sunday, November 30, 2025, at 12:00 PM CST Electronic voting starts
● Ending on Friday, December 5, 2025, at 5:00 PM CST. All voting will end.
The deadline for submitting Nomination Forms is Friday, October 31, 2025, by 11:59 PM CST.
The following members who were elected in 2024 for ICN Board of Directors will continue to serve until the end of 2026 when their term expires. (No need to nominate below members)
1.) Br. Anees Rahman 2.) Br. Shaji Ahmed 3.) Br. Syed Abdullah Syed 4.) Br. Ishtiaq Pavel
We encourage all eligible members to actively participate in the nomination and voting process. Your involvement is vital to ensure that our Masjid continues to thrive and serve the community effectively.
If you have any questions or need further information, please do not hesitate to contact us.
● Membership Support/Questions - askmembership@icnmasjid.org
● Election Support / Questions – elections@icnmasjid.org
Sincerely,
The ICN Election Committee,
ICN Election Details - Elections — Islamic Center Of Naperville (icnmasjid.org)
Policy for Meet and Greet Event for Board of Director Candidates
Policy last updated October 2024
Purpose
To facilitate a respectful, unified, and transparent interaction between ICN Voting Members and the candidates for the Board of Directors at the Islamic Center of Naperville (ICN).
Scope
This policy applies to all ICN Voting members, candidates, and organizers involved in the Meet and Greet event for the Islamic Center of Naperville Board of Directors elections.
Process for Meet and Greet Event
1. Planning and Preparation
Venue and Date: The date must be during the voting period when qualified candidates have been approved by the election committee. The venue must be within the masjid premises.
Notification: The event must be announced at least one week in advance through various ICN communication channels (e.g., masjid bulletin, social media, email).
Attendance: This event is only for current ICN Voting members. No live streaming or recording is permitted for the event: violations of this rule will be addressed by the organizers, which may include issuing warnings or removing individuals from the event if necessary.
2. Candidate Preparation
Profiles: Collect candidate profiles and share them with the community prior to the event.
Guidelines: Provide candidates with the event’s guidelines and format.
3. Event Agenda
Welcome and Introduction: Opening remarks by the Election Committee, and introduction to the purpose of the event.
Candidate Introduction: Each candidate gets at least 5 minutes to introduce themselves and their vision and plans based on the profile data they provided. Candidates may be asked to read their profile data (Know Your Candidate Form) as posted on the election webpage. The committee will ensure that the candidate’s profile data follows the format and guidelines to prevent self-promotion or negative campaigning. (In compliance with Section 6.4: Eligibility for Elections)
Q&A Session: Formal Q&A session moderated by the election committee. The Election Committee organizers will collect written questions from the attendees and filter them for relevance and appropriateness. The filtered questions will then be sent to the moderators, who will read them to the candidates to ensure a focused and respectful discussion.
Closing Remarks: The Election Committee will remind candidates and the community about the election code of conduct, encourage community participation in voting process, announce general election reminders (such as how to vote, who can vote, and how to address any membership issues), and offer Duas.
4. Post-Event Activities
Feedback Collection: Distribute feedback forms to gather community input on the event. The election committee will provide a summary of the event and challenges to the board of directors, highlighting any gaps that need attention for future events.
Code of Conduct During the Event
Respectful Interaction
Behavior: All participants must engage respectfully, avoiding any form of accusation, discrimination, or disruptive behavior, and always use respectful and inclusive language.
Equal Opportunity
Fairness: Ensure all candidates have equal opportunity to introduce themselves and their views to the community.
Transparency
Open Communication: Maintain transparency in all communications and processes related to the election process.
Honesty: Candidates should provide honest and clear information about themselves and their plans and visions.
Enforcement
Violations: Any violations of this code of conduct will be addressed by the election committee, which may include issuing warnings or removing individuals from the event if necessary.
Election Policy and Process
Policy last updated October 2024
Purpose and Objectives: To create a structured procedure for the Election Sub-Committee to verify that candidates for the Board of Directors are vetted for personal conduct and have actively contributed to one or more ICN committees serving the ICN community for at least twenty-four
months preceding the current elections.
This policy and process aim to ensure that candidates for the ICN Board of Directors undergo scrutiny for their personal conduct and demonstrate a history of active involvement in the organization. By adopting this systematic approach, the Election Sub-Committee can uphold the election's integrity, ensuring the selection of trustworthy, dedicated, and experienced individuals for the Board.
Scope: This policy is applicable to all individuals seeking nomination and election to the Board of Directors of the Islamic Center of Naperville (ICN).
Validation of Candidate’s Contribution
In line with section 6.4D of the by-laws, candidates must have actively contributed to one or more ICN sub-committees for at least the past twenty-four months leading up to the current elections. The validation process involves:
1. Documentation Submission: Candidates need to provide a thorough report of their contributions to ICN sub-committees they served on during the last two years. The record should include:
a. The names of the sub-committees for which they served.
b. The specific roles and responsibilities undertaken.
c. The duration of service on each sub-committee.
d. Key contributions and accomplishments within each committee as they pertain to a sub-committee’s charter.
2. Documentation Verification: The Election Sub-Committee will reach out to the sub-committee chairperson to verify the candidate's submitted record and obtain further feedback if needed. The chairperson’s approval should encompass:
a. Confirmation of the candidate’s active participation and contribution.
b. Specific examples of the candidate’s impact on the committee’s work.
c. An overall assessment of the candidate’s personal conduct and commitment to ICN.
Sub-committee chairs might be requested to furnish additional information regarding the candidate’s involvement, including their attendance record, the quality of their contributions, and their teamwork abilities if needed. In case any concerns arise about a candidate's participation, the Election Committee may consult other committee members to obtain a complete perspective on the matter.
3. Evaluating Contributions: The Election Committee will examine the provided documentation and endorsements, focusing on:
a. The relevance and significance of the candidate’s contributions to a sub-committee’s
charter and ICN community.
b. The consistency and duration of the candidate’s involvement.
Personal Conduct
In line with section 6.4A of the by-laws, the Election Sub-Committee will screen all candidates' personal conduct to ensure board members are both qualified and reflect the community's values and principles. This will involve:
1. Background Check: The Election Sub-Commit will request HR to conduct background checks to protect vulnerable populations, ensure the organization’s integrity, comply with laws, meet community expectations, and safeguard financial health. These checks help verify that individuals in leadership positions are trustworthy and have no history of harmful behavior or financial misconduct.
2. Community Feedback: If issues regarding the candidate’s personal behavior or beliefs are brought up, the Election Sub-Committee may seek input from ICN members to get a wide range of viewpoints. Any major concerns uncovered in this process will be forwarded to the Religious Services Sub-Committee for more detailed examination and suitable action. This method ensures that all concerns are meticulously assessed and dealt with transparently and fairly.
Final Validation:
1. The Election Committee will compile all gathered information and prepare a validation report for each candidate.
2. The report will highlight the candidate’s contributions, endorsements, and any additional feedback.
3. The Election Committee will make the final determination on the candidate’s eligibility based on the validation report.
4. The validation report will be made available to any community member upon request.
Notification:
1. The Election Committee will notify all candidates of their validation status.
2. Candidates who meet the criteria will be confirmed as eligible for the Board of Director elections.
3. Candidates who do not meet the criteria will be informed of their ineligibility and provided with a summary of the reasons.
Election Candidate Appeal Process:
Candidates whose nominations are rejected by the Election Sub-Committee have the right to appeal the decision to the ICN Board. Upon receiving an appeal, the ICN Board will conduct a thorough investigation and prepare a detailed report. This report will be submitted to the Election Sub-Committee in a timely manner. The Election Sub-Committee will then review the report and make a final decision based on the comprehensive data provided.
Election Process’s Code of Conduct
In line with section 6.4A of the by-laws, this section clearly defines the election process’s code of conduct, which is to ensure that all candidates act with integrity, respect, and professionalism throughout the election process.
1. Rules and Guidelines: Candidates must comply with all rules and guidelines related to the election process. This includes:
● Honesty and Integrity: Candidates must act honestly and with integrity, avoiding any form of dishonesty, fraud, deceit, or misrepresentation.
● Respect and Courtesy: Candidates must treat all individuals with respect and courtesy, refraining from any negative or defamatory remarks about other candidates.
● Confidentiality: Candidates must maintain the confidentiality of any sensitive information obtained during the election process
● No Lobbying: Candidates are not allowed to engage in any form of lobbying during the election campaign. The goal is to ensure that the election process remains fair, transparent, and respectful, promoting unity and respect within the community. This includes:
a. Direct Contact with Voters: Engaging in direct conversations with voters to influence their decision, such as making phone calls, sending emails, or meeting in person to advocate for or against a specific candidate.
b. Organizing Events: Hosting events such as rallies, fundraisers, or meetings where the primary purpose is to support or oppose a candidate.
c. Using social media: Posting messages, creating groups, or sharing content on social media platforms to influence voters' opinions about a candidate
d. Leveraging ICN Resources: Using the resources of ICN, such as its facilities, staff, or communication channels, to support or oppose a candidate.
2. Monitoring and Enforcement: The Election Sub-Committee will monitor the compliance with the code of conduct, address any complaints, and enforce penalties for violations. This includes:
● Warnings: Initial violations can be addressed with formal warnings. This serves as a reminder to the candidate about the importance of adhering to the code of conduct.
● Disqualification: In severe cases, candidates who engage in serious misconduct may be disqualified from the election. This ensures that only those who adhere to ethical standards are allowed to participate.
● Public Apologies: Candidates who violate the code of conduct may be required to issue public apologies. This helps to restore trust and accountability within the community.
