In recognition of the financial burden shouldered by the International Secretariat the IARU Constitution gives the International Secretariat the prerogative to nominate single candidates for President and Vice President following an extensive consultative process to identify qualified candidates who have a broad base of support. As in the case of all members of the IARU Administrative Council, neither may have a professional interest that conflicts with the objectives of the IARU.

The Constitutional provisions regarding the President and Vice President are:

• The President shall be a Radio Amateur, and a member of a Member-Society
• The term of office of the President shall be for a period of five years from the date of ratification of his nomination, and he shall remain in office until the nomination of his successor has been ratified.
• The term of office of the President shall be for a period of five years from the date of ratification of his nomination, and he shall remain in office until the nomination of his successor has been ratified.
• No later than 12 months prior to the expiration of the term of office of the President then in office, the International Secretariat shall initiate discussions with the Administrative Council to identify suitably qualified candidates available to serve as President. The nomination of a single candidate shall be made by the International Secretariat, but not until agreement has been reached between the International Secretariat and the Administrative Council that the candidate is suitably qualified.
• A President shall be eligible for re-election.
• The nomination of a President by the International Secretariat shall be subject to ratification by a vote of the Member-Societies in accordance with Article VI.
• The office of President shall become vacant if the President: 
  • dies,
  • gives notice in writing of his resignation to the Secretary
  • or is removed by the adoption of a joint proposal put forward by at least 10% of the Member-Societies in accordance with the procedure described in Article VI.
• The president shall have general supervision of the affairs of the IARU in accordance with formulated policies and shall serve as chairman of the Administrative Council.
• The qualifications, method of election, and term of office for the Vice President shall be identical with that of the President.
• The Vice President shall serve in the absence of the President and shall be responsible for such matters of general supervision as may be delegated to him by the President.