6 SHAREHOLDERS’ PARTICIPATION RIGHTS
6.1 Voting right restrictions and proxies
In accordance with Art. 10 of the Articles of Association, each share carries one vote. Only those shareholders entered in the share register are entitled to vote at the General Meeting. A shareholder may only be represented at the General Meeting by their own legal representative, another shareholder who attends the meeting and is entered in the share register, or the independent proxy. The proxy must be given written authorization. Attending members of the Board of Directors shall decide on the recognition of proxies.
Restrictions on voting rights and the associated regulations can be found in section 2.6.1 of this Corporate Governance Report.
In accordance with Art. 10a of the Articles of Association, shareholders will be able to give the independent proxy instructions regarding any motions for business announced in the notice of convocation and any motions for business not announced in the notice of convocation, as well giving them general instructions regarding any new items of business in accordance with Art. 700.3 of the Swiss Code of Obligations.
Shareholders will be able to issue their authorization and instructions to the independent proxy, including in electronic form, up to 4 p.m. on the third working day prior to the date of the General Meeting. This deadline shall be deemed to have been met if the authorization and instructions are received by the independent proxy by that time. The independent proxy is obliged to exercise the voting rights conferred on them by the shareholders as instructed. If they have not received any instructions, they shall abstain from voting.
6.2 Quorum requirements
All resolutions at the General Meeting are made by a legally required majority. In the event of a tied vote, the Chairman casts the deciding vote.
6.3 Convocation of the General Meeting
In accordance with Art. 9 of the Articles of Association, the General Meeting must be convened at least 20 days in advance by publication of a notice in the Swiss Official Gazette of Commerce. In addition, registered shareholders will receive a written invitation.
6.4 Agenda items
In accordance with Article 9 of the Articles of Association, shareholders who individually or jointly hold at least 10 % of the share capital or hold shares with a par value of at least CHF 1 million may request the inclusion of a particular item for discussion, at the latest 40 calendar days prior to the General Meeting. Such items must be submitted in writing, citing the item for discussion and the proposals.
6.5 Entries in the share register
In accordance with Article 10 of the Articles of Association, all shareholders entered in the share register with voting rights, together with registered nominees, are entitled to attend the General Meeting and to vote. Shareholders who are entered in the share register by 5:00 p.m. on Monday, April 12, 2021 (closing date) are invited to the General Meeting.