Confusion has shrouded the elections of the Greek Orthodox Community of Melbourne Victoria (GOCMV) as to whether they are going to be held on December 13 as scheduled.

The date was finalised by the Election Committee that was elected by the annual general meeting of GOCMV at the end of last month.

However four members of the Community – Mr Paikopoulos, Mr Vournazos and Mr Soublis amongst them – have sent a letter to the GOCMV Board outlining their objections to the conduct of the AGM and, specifically, the election of the election committee.

They claim the processes followed to elect the committee are unconstitutional and should their demand from the Board to reconvene a new AGM not be met, they are prepared to seek further legal remedies.

The letter writers also claim that the alleged unconstitutional irregularities will render any result stemming from the upcoming general elections open to challenge.

The GOCMV President, Bill Papastergiadis responded by holding a GOCMV Board meeting on Wednesday in place of the regular meeting scheduled tonight. (Monday)

Mr Papastergiadis explained to Neos Kosmos English Edition (NKEE) that the Board decided that the GOCMV seek legal advice on the concerns raised in the letter.

Bill Papastergiadis contacted Neos Kosmos yesterday and infromed us that in accordance with a request from the GOCMV board he had sought legal advice on the conduct of the annual general meeting two weeks ago.

Richard Kowalksi, a senioe barrister who teachers law at Monash University, was briefed and in his written response had advised the GOCMV that there were no legal grounds for invalidating the AGM and for not proceeding with the elections scheduled for Sunday December 13  as planned.

Mr Papastergiadis said: “What is the effect of a delay, other than prejudice the cultural centre funding in Lonsdale Street, the Antipodes Festival and the grants for Alphington, all of which need to be dealt with by the end of this year? These are serious issues involving millions of dollars.”

Two major factions, headed by current President Bill Papastergiadis and current Treasurer Con Dikeos respectively, are vying for control of the GOCMV.

Mr Papastergiadis’ faction called Community Renewal announced its 19 candidates last month.

These are: Bill Anevlavis, Nick Koukouvitakis, Tammy Iliou, John Mitsakos, Costa Markos, Leo Vlahakis, Kostas Tsoumbakos, George Menidis, Theo Markos, George Kallianis, Dimitri Iakovakis, Paul Kounnas, Nick Parthimos, Vasso Zangalis, Theo Andrianakos, Nicole Iliopoulos, George Koletsis, Jim Bosinakis.

A week later Mr Dikeos announced the candidates who will be standing as part of his Community Transparency ticket.

His candidates are: George Fountas, Zisis Pouros, Eugenia Grammatikakis, Jenny Krasopoulakis, Helen Panagiotopoulos, Helen Kavnoudias, John Kotsifas, Kathy Karasavidis, Aggelos Koukoulas, Tom Karatzas, Vasili Korras, Emanuel Starakis, John Lioupas, Aggelos Haritou, Savvas Grigoropoulos, Apostolis Kounelis, Dimitris Stamatopoulos and Polychronis Papadopoulos.

There are also a number of candidates who are standing as independents with long histories of involvement in community affairs.

They are: Christos Fifis, Kyriakos Papdimitropoulos, Evangelos Makris, John Haitidis, Dimitris Skazas, Kon Kolokathis, George Dikeakos, Efterpi Zombolas, Thaleia Ioanidou, Paul Mavroudis and Peter Darmos.