The Secretariat shall transmit documents other than the provisional agenda and draft order of business to the members of the SPT in the working languages of the SPT as early as possible. All working documents prepared or other documents received by the Secretariat in advance of the session shall be transmitted forthwith to the SPT (including in electronic form, if available and appropriate, taking into account the requirements for confidentiality) in the original language of the document and, as soon as possible thereafter, in translation into the other working languages of the SPT. II.Members of the SPT Rule 6Election of members of the SPT 1. Members of the SPT shall be the 25 experts elected in accordance with article 5 of the Optional Protocol. 2.Members shall be eligible for re-election once, if renominated. 3.Members of the SPT shall serve in their individual capacity and may not be represented by alternates. Rule 7Term of office 1.The term of office of the members of the SPT shall begin on 1 January of the year after the date of their election by the meeting of the States parties. The term of office shall expire on 31 December four years later, except for those members chosen by lot to serve for two years, whose terms shall expire on 31 December two years after their election. 2.In accordance with article 8 of the Optional Protocol, the term of the member appointed to fill a casual vacancy begins on the date of her or his approval, and shall end on the date of expiration of the term of office of the member being replaced. Rule 8Casual vacancies 1.In accordance with article 8 of the Optional Protocol, if a member of the SPT dies or resigns, or for any cause can no longer perform her or his duties, the Secretary-General shall immediately declare the seat vacant and inform the State party that nominated the member, which shall nominate, within two months, another eligible candidate subject to the approval of the majority of the States parties. Approval shall be considered given unless half or more of the States parties respond negatively within six weeks of having been informed of the proposed nominee. 2.When a member of the SPT is consistently unable to carry out her or his duties for any cause other than absence of a temporary nature, said member shall resign. Written notification of such resignation shall be submitted to the SPT and the Secretary-General. The Secretary-General shall inform the State party which nominated the member so that action can be taken in accordance with article 8 of the Optional Protocol. 3.The Secretary-General shall inform the States parties of the name of the member filling the casual vacancy as soon as possible after approval. 4.Where approval of a replacement under paragraph 1 of this rule is declined, the State party that nominated the member shall be invited to nominate another eligible candidate, meeting the requirements of article 5 of the Optional Protocol. Rule 9Solemn declaration Before assuming her or his duties, each member of the SPT shall, at the first meeting of the SPT at which she or he is present following election, make the following solemn declaration: “I solemnly declare that I will perform my duties and exercise my powers as a member of the Subcommittee on Prevention of Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment impartially, independently and efficiently.” III. Bureau of the SPT Rule 10Election of the Bureau 1.The SPT shall elect from among its members a Chairperson and four Vice Chairpersons who shall constitute the Bureau of the SPT. The Bureau shall select one of its Vice-Chairpersons to act as Rapporteur. Three members of the Bureau shall constitute a quorum. 2.Members of the Bureau shall be elected for a term of two years and be eligible for re-election. 3.Where there is only one candidate for election as one of its officers, the SPT may decide to elect that person by consensus. Where there are two or more candidates for election as one of its officers, or where the SPT otherwise decides to proceed with a ballot, the person who obtains a simple majority of votes shall be elected. If no single candidate receives a majority of votes, the members of the SPT shall endeavour to reach a consensus before holding another ballot. Elections shall be by secret ballot. Rule 11Functions of the Bureau 1.The Bureau shall direct the work of the SPT and shall perform all other functions conferred upon it by these rules of procedure and

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