Adoption and Alteration of the Statutes
12.1 These Statutes shall come into force immediately after they have been adopted by a General Assembly. Adoption of the Statutes shall require at least two-thirds of the votes of those delegates present at the General Assembly, and at least one-half of the total possible number of votes of the delegates of all Adhering Bodies, whether or not all such delegates are present.
12.2 Proposals to a General Assembly for amendment of the Statutes may be made by the Executive Committee and by any Adhering Body, provided that the General Secretary is notified in writing at least eight months before a General Assembly is expected to be held.
12.3 Any alteration of these Statutes shall become effective only if all Adhering Bodies have been informed of such a proposal at least six months before a General Assembly, if at least two-thirds of the votes of those delegates present shall have been cast in favor of the proposal, and the favourable votes amount to at least one-half of the total possible number of votes of the delegates of all Adhering Bodies, whether or not all such delegates are present. If the two-thirds favourable vote does not represent at least one-half of the total possible number of votes of the delegates of the Adhering Bodies, a mail vote shall be taken and a two-thirds majority of the votes received within ninety days following the mailing of the ballots shall be required for adoption of the amendment to the Statutes, provided that 50% or more of the delegates reply.