II. Organising principles on which KKE is constituted and operates

Article 9

The structure and operation of the CPG is based on the principle of democratic centralism. Democratic centralism ensures the Party the ability, through broad, free discussion, to generalise the views and experiences of Party members, of non-members and of the working people, to arrive at collective decisions and at the same time to act with unity, resoluteness and discipline in implementing them. In application of this principle, th creation and activity of organised groups within the Party is not permitted. This would undermine its unity, its democratic operation and its effective action.
The main components of democratic centralism are: democracy within the party and centralism.

Democracy within the party means:
Equality of all Party members with respect to their rights and obligations. Ensuring the right to express their opinions freely and responsibly on all Party issues, in accordance with the Statutes. The electability and removability of leading bodies or members of these bodies, rom the Bureau of the BO up to the Central Committee. Regular and extraordinary accountability to the organisations and Conferences that elected them. Systematic information of party organisations about their decisions. Ensuring the personal contribution, initiative and responsibility of all Party members in making and implementing decisions. Ensuring all Party members’ right to vote and stand for election. Initiatives by all party organisations to solve their local issues independently and responsibly within the framework of the Party’s policy and general positions.

Centralism means:
Bringing the operation and activity of all Party organisations under one single centre, the Central Committee, which is the supreme organ during the period between congresses. That decisions made by higher leading bodies must be implemented by lower bodies, Party organisations and Party members. Conscientious Party discipline where the minority submits to the will of the majority. In the event of disagreement, those who disagree are obliged to implement the decision made by the majority.

Article 10

Follow-up, criticism and self-criticism are comonent elements of the Party’s operation. They help in implementing decisions, developing action, generalising experience, dealing with weaknesses, correcting mistakes, training cadres and members, and strengthening conscientious Party discipline. But criticism must be exercised only within the responsible Party bodies and Conferences. Cadres and members who obstruct criticism bear a grave responsibility and may be subject to penalties including expulsion from the Party.

Article 11

The supreme principle in Party leadership is that of collectivity, an indispensable condition for the normal operation and action of Party organisations, for the correct training of cadres, and for the development of activity and initiative by Party members.
The principle of collectivity restricts subjectivity, ensures the best, most comprehensive decisions, and contributes to the Party’s unity of action. In the Party, it must not be possible for one-person decisions to replace the collective decisions of its bodies.
The principle of collectivity does not abolish individual responsibility nor does it downgrade personal contribution. Within the collectivity, the personal features of every Party member can and must show through.

Article 12

Leading bodies, secretaries and their Bureaus, as well as representatives to Conferences, are elected by secret ballot, according to the procedure set out in the regulations. Persons who gather 50% + 1 of the votes cast by those present and entitled to vote are considered to have been elected. If, after two successive ballots, the candidates do not collect the 50% + 1 required for election, in the third and final ballot, they are elected on the basis of who has reeived the greatest number of crosses.
All other decisions on political issues, as well as on current problems, are taken by open ballot and a relative majority.

Article 13

• a) The Party is structured on the basis of production and/or territory. Base Organisations are created in industries or other enterprises, in services, in sectors and in places where people live in towns and villages. Party members who work in large industries or other enterprises must belong to these organisations. Exceptions may be permitted by decision of the prefectural committees.
• By decision of the Central Committee, when deemed necessary, Party organisations may be created in other countries in which Greek immigrants and students are resident.
• Party Base Organissationsare joined together in organisations of districts, prefectures, and regions.
• The main organisational levels are: The Base Organisation (BO)
  The District Committee
  The Prefectural Committee
  The Regional Committee
  The Central Committee.
  The Party Organisations of Athens, Piraeus and Thessaloniki are counterparts of Regional Organisations.
  In places and sectors of particular importance, the Central Committee may set up a BO and party or district committees under its direct guidance.