1.2 Management in democracy The ONCE is legally constituted as a Public Law Corporation of a social nature, recognised by the laws of social economy. Its management is ba-sed on the principle of internal democracy, on the participation of blind people affiliated to the Organisation in electoral processes which, since 1982, have been held every four years to elect the representative and governing bodies of the Entity. The last one, held in December 2022. The ONCE electoral system is supervised by the Administration through the Protectorate Coun-cil. The elections are the starting point for the constitution of the central and territorial struc-ture, with its rules of procedure, in order to con-tinue to respond to the general interests and aims of the Organisation. Keep reading Keep reading Keep reading The General Council is the highest governing and representative body, whose mission is to ensure the institutional and financial stability of the Organisation, respect for human rights and the full inclusion of people who are blind or visually impaired. It coordinates institutio-nal relations, supports the strengthening of the disability rights movement and plays a strategic role in decision-making to safeguard the good governance of the Organisation. It, therefore, assumes the major responsibilities of management direction, control, coordina-tion and supervision, establishing cross-cut-ting criteria for action and for the control and evaluation of performance. The General Council is responsible for the three executive areas into which the Group’s activities are classified: Directorate General of ONCE (management of lottery products and development of social services for blind people); the ONCE Foundation (for the coo-peration and social inclusion of people with disabilities); and Ilunion, a social entrepre-neurship area that demonstrates that the so-cial economy is profitable and sustainable.