NOTE: = 45 =

[...depu]ties: it is not necessary that they be from among the residents of the electing quarter or province; it is sufficient that they reside in Kostandnupolits, be well-versed in the national affairs of the quarter or province they represent, and, by their patriotism, rectitude, and integrity of mind, be persons who have gained the respect and esteem of the electors. The National Deputies are not considered in the General Assembly as deputies [only] of the quarter or province that elected them, but are Deputies of the Nation, possessing equal authority. Article 71. Once every two years, for the one-fifth portion of the Deputies to be elected by the quarters of Polis, the Patriarch shall notify each of the electing quarters in the month of February of the number of Deputies to be elected, recalling also the conditions of the right to vote and eligibility for election. Upon this notification, the Quarter Councils shall undertake the election of the Deputies. But for the electoral proceedings, the Preacher of the quarter—or in his absence, the Senior Priest—shall preside, and from three to six honorable persons from among the inhabitants of the quarter shall be added to the Quarter Council. Each of the Electoral Assemblies thus formed, having verified those possessing the right of election in its quarter, shall prepare an alphabetical list of the electors and cause it to be posted in the Quarter Council Chamber on condition that it remain displayed for eight days. [Armeno-Turkish version:] There is no harm in the deputies whose election is sought being or not being from the church community and diocese which elects them, provided only that they reside in Der-i Saadet, are cognizant of the national affairs of the said communities, and are regarded and esteemed in the eyes of the electors by reason of their patriotism, virtue, and integrity. These deputies are not deemed in the General Assembly to be the deputies of the communities of Der-i Saadet or the provinces that elected them; all are regarded as members of the General Assembly possessing equal authority. Seventy-first Article. The number of deputies required to be elected from Der-i Saadet, as well as the conditions conferring the capacity both to elect and to be elected, shall be declared and announced by the Patriarch in the month of February of every second year to the communities that are to elect one-fifth of the members; and thereupon, the deputies shall be elected through the agency of the Church Councils. However, the Preacher of the Church, and in his absence the Chief Priest, shall be the president, and from three to six persons from among the notables of the quarter shall also be added to the Church Council. These Councils, having investigated those who have or have not attained the right of election within their own communities, shall draw up a register thereof arranged in alphabetical order, and post it in the room of the Church Council to remain on view for eight days.