The Act safeguards democratic processes by prescribing, in section
401, minimum standards for the regular periodic election of officers in
labor organizations subject to its provisions. It does not, however,
prescribe in detail election procedures which must be followed. Labor
organizations are free to establish procedures for elections as long as
they are fair to all members and are consistent with lawful provisions
of the organization's constitution and bylaws and with section 401. The
rights granted to members in section 401(e) refer to individuals, not
labor organizations. For example, while locals may be members of an
intermediate body, they are not entitled to the rights granted
``members'' in section 401(e).
