The Chairman of the Haut Conseil de la santé publique is elected by the qualified personalities of the Haut Conseil as a whole from among the qualified personalities who are members of the college, in a two-round uninominal ballot. In the event of a tie in the second ballot, the oldest candidate is declared elected. The Chairman’s term of office ends with his or her term of office as a Qualified Person and may be renewed twice.
A vice-chairman is elected under the same conditions to temporarily deputise for the chairman.
If the chairman or vice-chairman is permanently unable to act, the Minister for Health will, if necessary, arrange for a new election to be held for the remainder of the term of office of the qualified persons.
The election of the Chairman and Vice-Chairman can only be validly carried out if at least half of the electors are present. If this quorum is not reached, a new meeting of the electors is convened within a period not exceeding twenty-one days. The election is then validly held, regardless of the number of voters present.
If a specialised commission or a standing technical committee is created or abolished during the term of office of the chairman and vice-chairman, the term of office continues until its end.