The Principal Act is amended by the insertion of the following section after section 176:

''176A.

(1) Save to the extent that the company's constitution provides otherwise, a company need not hold a general meeting at a physical venue but may conduct the meeting wholly or partly by the use of electronic communications technology as long as all attendees have a reasonable opportunity to participate in the meeting in accordance with this section.

(2) Where a company conducts a general meeting wholly or partly by the use of electronic communications technology, it shall -

(a) make provision for participation in the meeting by providing or facilitating the use of electronic communications technology for that purpose, and

(b) ensure that any members who participate in the meeting using such technology are provided with the means to cast a vote without being physically present, either in person or by proxy, at the meeting.

(3) The use of electronic communications technology pursuant to subsection (2) may be made subject only to such requirements or restrictions put in place by the company as are necessary to ensure the identification of attendees and the security of the electronic communications technology, to the extent that such requirements or restrictions are proportionate to the achievement of those objectives.

(4) A company shall inform attendees, before the general meeting concerned, of any requirements or restrictions which it has put in place pursuant to subsection (3).