The opening of the session for the review of a request for appeal
1. On the day and at the hour designated, the parties give notice of their presence to the secretariat specifically established by the CEC.
2. Before the session begins, the administration of the CEC summons the parties or their representatives and invites them to take their designated places.
3. After the examination session has been declared open, the procedural standing of the parties is verified in accordance with article 133 of this Code.
4. If one or several of the parties do not appear on the day and at the hour designated, the session is held regardless of their participation.
5. Before the parties present their claims, the CEC:
a) accepts or rejects the individual statements of the CEC members on the existence of conflicts of interests according to point 3 of article 17 of this Code;
b) decides on the requests of the parties concerning the exclusion of CEC members due to the existence of a conflict of interests in accordance with point 4 of article 17 of this Code;
c) decides on the requests of the parties or of the rapporteur for the CEC not to review the case because of a lack of competence on the part of the CEC or because of the expiry of the time limit for an appeal.
6. After it has made a decision on the preliminary requests of the parties, and if these do not lead to the dismissal of the administrative review, the CEC reviews and decides the case on its merits without interrupting the session. The session is interrupted only when the acquisition of evidence from third parties is necessary.
