Part V · Conduct of Business
Article 100 Voting in Houses, power of Houses to act notwithstanding vacancies and quorum.
This article sets the voting rules of the Houses. Questions at any sitting are decided by a majority of the members present and voting. The Chairman or Speaker does not vote, except at an equality of votes. A House may act despite vacancies in its membership. The quorum is one tenth of the total members.
- (1) Save as otherwise provided in this Constitution, all questions at any sitting of either House or joint sitting of the Houses shall be determined by a majority of votes of the members present and voting, other than the Speaker or person acting as Chairman or Speaker. The Chairman or Speaker, or person acting as such, shall not vote in the first instance, but shall have and exercise a casting vote in the case of an equality of votes.
- (2) Either House of Parliament shall have power to act notwithstanding any vacancy in the membership thereof, and any proceedings in Parliament shall be valid notwithstanding that it is discovered subsequently that some person who was not entitled so to do sat or voted or otherwise took part in the proceedings.
- (3) Until Parliament by law otherwise provides, the quorum to constitute a meeting of either House of Parliament shall be one-tenth of the total number of members of the House.
- (4) If at any time during a meeting of a House there is no quorum, it shall be the duty of the Chairman or Speaker, or person acting as such, either to adjourn the House or to suspend the meeting until there is a quorum.
What it means
Plain words summary of the article above. Not legal advice.
This article sets the voting rules of the Houses. Questions at any sitting are decided by a majority of the members present and voting. The Chairman or Speaker does not vote, except at an equality of votes. A House may act despite vacancies in its membership. The quorum is one tenth of the total members. Without a quorum, the Chair adjourns or suspends the meeting.