CAT/C/3/Rev.6 possible. The provisional agenda of a special session shall be transmitted to the members of the Committee by the Secretary-General simultaneously with the notification of the meeting under rule 5. III. Members of the Committee Rule 11 Members Members of the Committee shall be the 10 experts elected in accordance with article 17 of the Convention. Rule 12 Beginning of term of office 1. The term of office of the members of the Committee elected at the first election shall begin on 1 January 1988. The term of office of members elected at subsequent elections shall begin on the day after the date of expiry of the term of office of the members whom they replace. 2. The Chairperson, members of the Bureau and Rapporteurs may continue performing the duties assigned to them until one day before the first meeting of the Committee, composed of its new members, at which it elects its officers. Rule 13 Filling of casual vacancies 1. If a member of the Committee dies or resigns or for any other cause can no longer perform his/her Committee duties, the Secretary-General shall immediately declare the seat of that member to be vacant and shall request the State party whose expert has ceased to function as a member of the Committee to appoint another expert from among its nationals within two months, if possible, to serve for the remainder of his/her predecessor’s term. 2. The name and the curriculum vitae of the expert so appointed shall be transmitted by the Secretary-General to the States parties for their approval. The approval shall be considered given unless half or more of the States parties respond negatively within six weeks after having been informed by the Secretary-General of the proposed appointment to fill the vacancy. 3. Except in the case of a vacancy arising from a member’s death or disability, the Secretary-General shall act in accordance with the provisions of paragraphs 1 and 2 of the present rule only after receiving, from the member concerned, written notification of his/her decision to cease to function as a member of the Committee. Rule 14 Solemn declaration Before assuming his/her duties after his/her first election, each member of the Committee shall make the following solemn declaration in open Committee: 9