of, or made a composition or other arrangement with his creditors; (b) has been absent from three consecutive meetings of the Society, of which he has had notice, without the leave of the Chairman of the Society; (c) has been convicted of an offence under this Act; (d) has been convicted within Malawi of a criminal offence, or outside Malawi of an offence by whatever name called which, if committed within Malawi, would have been a criminal offence, and sentenced to imprisonment for a term of six months or more without the option of a fine, whether or not such sentence has been suspended, and has not received a free pardon; or (e) is mentally or physically incapable of efficiently performing his duties as member of the Society. (2) The Minister may suspend from office a member of the Society against whom criminal proceedings have been instituted for an offence in respect of which a sentence of imprisonment for a term of six months or more without the option of a fine may be imposed. (3) A member of the Society may resign his office by notice in writing to the Minister and if the Minister accepts such resignation. Filling of vacancies in the Society 3. (1) On vacation of office by a member of the Society, the vacancy shall be filled by a person appointed in accordance with paragraph 1(1) under which the former member was appointed: Provided that if the remaining period is less than six months the Minister may decide not to have the vacancy filled until the expiry of the period. (2) If any member of the Society is granted leave of absence by the Society, the Society may, if it sees fit, co-opt a person who belongs to the same profession or calling as the member who has been granted leave to fill the vacancy during the absence of the member. Co-opted persons 4. The Society may in its discretion at any time and for any length of time invite any person, and the Minister may in the like manner nominate any officer in the public service, to attend any meeting of the Society and take part in the deliberations of the Society, but such person or officer shall not be entitled to vote at that meeting. 45