2. Notification of the resignation of a member of the Committee shall be in writing to the Chairperson or to the Secretary-General, and action shall be taken in accordance with article 17, paragraph 7, of the Convention only after such notification has been received. 3. A member who is unable to attend meetings of the Committee shall inform the Secretary-General as early as possible and, if this inability is likely to be extended, the member should resign. 4. When a member of the Committee is consistently unable to carry out her or his functions for any cause other than absence of a temporary nature, the Chairperson shall draw the above rule to her or his attention. 5. Where a member of the Committee has rule 13, paragraph 4, drawn to her or his attention and does not resign in accordance with that rule, the Chairperson shall notify the Secretary-General who shall then inform the State party of the member to enable action to be taken in accordance with article 17, paragraph 7, of the Convention. Filling casual vacancies Rule 14 1. When a casual vacancy within article 17, paragraph 7, of the Convention occurs in the Committee, the Secretary-General shall immediately request the State party that had nominated that member to appoint, within a period of two months, another expert from among its nationals to serve for the remainder of the predecessor’s term. 2. The name and curriculum vitae of the expert so appointed shall be transmitted by the Secretary-General to the Committee for approval. Upon approval of the expert by the Committee, the Secretary-General shall notify the States parties of the name of the member of the Committee filling the casual vacancy. Solemn declaration Rule 15 Upon assuming their duties, members of the Committee shall make the following solemn declaration in open Committee: “I solemnly declare that I shall perform my duties and exercise powers as a member of the Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women honourably, faithfully, impartially and conscientiously.” IV. OFFICERS Election of officers of the Committee Rule 16 The Committee shall elect from among its members a Chairperson, three Vice-Chairpersons and a Rapporteur with due regard to equitable geographical representation. 101