Facebook board rejects proposals to curb Zuckerberg’s power

Facebook Inc. rejected two proposals intended to diminish Chief Executive Officer Mark Zuckerberg’s control over the company, an expected though disappointing outcome for those worried about the CEO’s power.

The board Wednesday turned down a proposal to replace Zuckerberg as chairman with an independent representative. Zuckerberg, who has served as chairman since 2012, controls about 58% of the voting shares, according to a regulatory filing.

During Facebook’s annual meeting, the board also rejected a proposal to eliminate the special class of super-voting shares that gives Zuckerberg a controlling stake in the company. Under the plan, investors would have been awarded one vote per share. The Zuckerberg-controlled board has rejected similar motions in years past.