HRD, the umbrella body that represents the interests of the entire Antwerp diamond sector, members of the city’s diamond community will participate in direct elections for the first time in the 33-year history, to select six of the body’s 12 directors. The election is part of a restructuring program that was instigated by Belgian Prime Minister Guy Verhofstadt. %% The board of directors included 19 members appointed by the 13 organizations that are members of the HRD, and an additional four directors who were public figures but not part of the diamond business were co-opted to the board under the previous system. The new board will number 12 directors, with six members chosen through direct elections, and three members appointed by the bourses, two member each appointed by the manufacturer organizations and the unions, and one appointed by the board itself. The board appointee will require the unanimous vote of the 11 other directors. %% To ensure proper representation of both larger and smaller diamond companies on the new board, eligible voters will be subdivided into three categories according to the average turnover of the last two years. Each voter is entitled to vote for two candidates in the category to which they belong. Eligible voters include 1800 diamond dealers registered with the Federal Government Services, Economy. Those wishing to offer their candidacy for election can do so until noontime on Thursday, April 20, 2006. It is expected that the new HRD board of directors will be installed by the middle of May 2006. In the meantime, the HRD, together with a task force headed by Brice De Ruyver, advisor to the Belgian prime minister, is busy formulating the second stage of the restructuring program, which is expected to include a new legal structure for the HRD.