RULES OF PROCEDURE
GENERAL RULES
RULE #1- SCOPE
These rules for the Tainan Model United Nations conference are self-sufficient, except for modifications provided by the Secretariat or Chairpersons, and will be considered adopted in advance of session. No other rules of procedure are applicable.
RULE #2- LANGUAGE
English will be the official and working language of the committee.
RULE #3- DELEGATIONS
Each member will be represented by one to two delegates and one vote on each committee.
RULE #4- CREDENTIALS
The credentials of all delegations have been accepted upon registration. Actions relating to the modification of rights, privileges, or credentials of any member may not be initiated without the written consent of the Secretary-General. Any representative to whose admission a member objects will provisionally be seated with the same rights as other representatives, pending a decision from the Secretary General.
RULE #5- STATEMENTS BY THE SECRETARIAT
The Secretary General or a member of the Secretariat designated by him/her may at any time make either written or oral statements to the committee.
RULE #6- GENERAL POWERS OF THE COMMITTEE STAFF
The Committee Chairperson will declare the opening and closing of each meeting and may propose the adoption of any procedural motion to which there is no significant objection. The Chairperson, subject to these rules, will have complete control of the proceedings at any meeting. The Chairperson will also direct discussions, accord the right to speak, pose questions, announce decisions, rule on points of order, and ensure and enforce the observance of these rules. The Chairperson may temporarily transfer his or her duties to another member of the Committee staff. Committee staff members may also advise delegations on the possible course of debate. In the exercise of these functions, the Committee staff will be at all times subject to these rules and responsible to the Secretary General.
RULE #7- QUORUM
The Chairperson may declare a Committee open and permit debate to proceed when at least one-quarter of the members of the Committee (as declared at the beginning of the first session) are present.
A member of the Committee is a representative who is officially registered with the Conference. The presence of a majority of the members will be required for the vote on any substantive motion. A quorum will be assumed to be present unless specifically challenged and shown to be absent. A roll call is never required to determine the presence of a quorum.
RULE #8- COURTESY
Delegates will show courtesy and respect to the Committee staff and to other delegates. The Chairperson will immediately call to order any delegate who fails to comply with this rule.
These rules for the Tainan Model United Nations conference are self-sufficient, except for modifications provided by the Secretariat or Chairpersons, and will be considered adopted in advance of session. No other rules of procedure are applicable.
RULE #2- LANGUAGE
English will be the official and working language of the committee.
RULE #3- DELEGATIONS
Each member will be represented by one to two delegates and one vote on each committee.
RULE #4- CREDENTIALS
The credentials of all delegations have been accepted upon registration. Actions relating to the modification of rights, privileges, or credentials of any member may not be initiated without the written consent of the Secretary-General. Any representative to whose admission a member objects will provisionally be seated with the same rights as other representatives, pending a decision from the Secretary General.
RULE #5- STATEMENTS BY THE SECRETARIAT
The Secretary General or a member of the Secretariat designated by him/her may at any time make either written or oral statements to the committee.
RULE #6- GENERAL POWERS OF THE COMMITTEE STAFF
The Committee Chairperson will declare the opening and closing of each meeting and may propose the adoption of any procedural motion to which there is no significant objection. The Chairperson, subject to these rules, will have complete control of the proceedings at any meeting. The Chairperson will also direct discussions, accord the right to speak, pose questions, announce decisions, rule on points of order, and ensure and enforce the observance of these rules. The Chairperson may temporarily transfer his or her duties to another member of the Committee staff. Committee staff members may also advise delegations on the possible course of debate. In the exercise of these functions, the Committee staff will be at all times subject to these rules and responsible to the Secretary General.
RULE #7- QUORUM
The Chairperson may declare a Committee open and permit debate to proceed when at least one-quarter of the members of the Committee (as declared at the beginning of the first session) are present.
A member of the Committee is a representative who is officially registered with the Conference. The presence of a majority of the members will be required for the vote on any substantive motion. A quorum will be assumed to be present unless specifically challenged and shown to be absent. A roll call is never required to determine the presence of a quorum.
RULE #8- COURTESY
Delegates will show courtesy and respect to the Committee staff and to other delegates. The Chairperson will immediately call to order any delegate who fails to comply with this rule.
RULES GOVERNING DEBATE
RULE #9- AGENDA
The first order of business for the Committee will be considered as setting Agenda.
RULE #10- DEBATE
After the Agenda has been determined, one continuously open General Speakers’ List will be established for the purpose of general debate. This Speakers List will be followed for all debate on the Topic Area, except when superseded by procedural motions, amendments, or the introduction of a draft resolution. Speakers may speak generally on the Topic Area being considered and may address any draft resolution currently on the floor. Debate automatically closes when the Speakers List is exhausted.
RULE #11- MODERATED CAUCUS
The purpose of the moderated caucus is to facilitate substantive debate at critical junctures in the discussion. In a moderated caucus, the Chairperson will temporarily depart from the Speakers List and call on delegates to speak at his/her discretion. A motion for a moderated caucus is in order at any time when the floor is open, prior to closure of debate. The delegate making the motion must briefly explain its purpose and specify a time limit for the caucus, not to exceed twenty minutes, and a time limit for the individual speeches. Once raised, the motion will be voted on immediately, with a majority of members required for passage. The Chairperson may rule the motion out of order. No motions are in order during a moderated caucus. If no delegate wishes to speak during a moderated caucus, the caucus shall immediately end.
RULE #12- UNMODERATED CAUCUS
A motion for an unmoderated caucus is in order at any time when the floor is open, prior to closure of debate. The delegate making the motion must briefly explain its purpose and specify a time limit for the caucus, not to exceed twenty minutes. The motion will immediately be put to a vote. A majority of members is required for passage. The Chairperson may rule the motion out of order.
RULE #13- CLOSURE OF DEBATE
When the floor is open, a delegate may move to close debate on the substantive or procedural matter under discussion. Delegates may move to close debate on the general topic, debate on the agenda, or debate on an amendment. The Chairperson may rule such a motion dilatory. When closure of debate is moved, the Chairperson may recognize up to two speakers against the motion (can technical against). If there are no speakers against the motion it automatically passes. No speaker in favor of the motion will be recognized. Closure of debate requires the support of two-thirds of the members present. If the Committee is in favor of closure, the Chairperson will declare the closure of the debate, and move the committee to immediate voting procedure.
RULE #14- SUSPENSION OF THE MEETING
Whenever the floor is open, a delegate may move for the suspension of the meeting, to suspend all Committee functions until the next meeting. The Chairperson may rule such motions out of order. When in order, such motions will not be debatable but will be immediately put to a vote, barring any motions taking precedence, and will require a majority to pass. A motion to adjourn will be out of order prior to the lapse of three-quarters of the time allotted for the last meeting of the Committee.
RULE #15- ADJOURNMENT OF THE MEETING
Whenever the floor is open, a delegate may move for the adjournment of the meeting, to suspend all Committee functions for the duration of the Conference. The Chairperson may rule such motions out of order. When in order, such motions will not be debatable but will be immediately put to a vote, barring any motions taking precedence, and will require a majority to pass. A motion to adjourn will be out of order prior to the lapse of three-quarters of the time allotted for the last meeting of the Committee.
The first order of business for the Committee will be considered as setting Agenda.
- A motion should be made to put a topic area first on the agenda. This motion requires a second.
- The only topic areas that may be proposed for the agenda are those listed in the preparation materials. The Chairperson may modify these topic areas at his or her discretion.
- A committee in which only one topic area may be proposed for the agenda will be considered to have automatically adopted that topic area without debate.
- A Speakers List will be established “for” and “against” the motion; speakers “for” will speak in support of the topic area suggested, speakers “against” will speak in favor of the other topic area.
- A motion to close debate will be in order after the Committee has heard from two speakers for the motion and from two against, or all the speakers on one side and at least two on the opposite side. In accordance with the normal procedure described in RULE #13, the Chairperson will recognize two speakers against the motion to close debate, and a vote of two-thirds is required for closure of debate on the agenda. If the Speakers List on setting the agenda is exhausted, debate will automatically be closed even if a motion to close debate would not normally be in order.
- When debate is closed, the Committee will move to an immediate vote on the motion. A simple majority is required for passage. If the motion fails, the other topic area will automatically be placed first on the agenda.
- All motions for caucus shall be ruled dilatory during the Consideration of the Agenda. Also, delegates will not be allowed to yield their time (RULE #18).
RULE #10- DEBATE
After the Agenda has been determined, one continuously open General Speakers’ List will be established for the purpose of general debate. This Speakers List will be followed for all debate on the Topic Area, except when superseded by procedural motions, amendments, or the introduction of a draft resolution. Speakers may speak generally on the Topic Area being considered and may address any draft resolution currently on the floor. Debate automatically closes when the Speakers List is exhausted.
RULE #11- MODERATED CAUCUS
The purpose of the moderated caucus is to facilitate substantive debate at critical junctures in the discussion. In a moderated caucus, the Chairperson will temporarily depart from the Speakers List and call on delegates to speak at his/her discretion. A motion for a moderated caucus is in order at any time when the floor is open, prior to closure of debate. The delegate making the motion must briefly explain its purpose and specify a time limit for the caucus, not to exceed twenty minutes, and a time limit for the individual speeches. Once raised, the motion will be voted on immediately, with a majority of members required for passage. The Chairperson may rule the motion out of order. No motions are in order during a moderated caucus. If no delegate wishes to speak during a moderated caucus, the caucus shall immediately end.
RULE #12- UNMODERATED CAUCUS
A motion for an unmoderated caucus is in order at any time when the floor is open, prior to closure of debate. The delegate making the motion must briefly explain its purpose and specify a time limit for the caucus, not to exceed twenty minutes. The motion will immediately be put to a vote. A majority of members is required for passage. The Chairperson may rule the motion out of order.
RULE #13- CLOSURE OF DEBATE
When the floor is open, a delegate may move to close debate on the substantive or procedural matter under discussion. Delegates may move to close debate on the general topic, debate on the agenda, or debate on an amendment. The Chairperson may rule such a motion dilatory. When closure of debate is moved, the Chairperson may recognize up to two speakers against the motion (can technical against). If there are no speakers against the motion it automatically passes. No speaker in favor of the motion will be recognized. Closure of debate requires the support of two-thirds of the members present. If the Committee is in favor of closure, the Chairperson will declare the closure of the debate, and move the committee to immediate voting procedure.
RULE #14- SUSPENSION OF THE MEETING
Whenever the floor is open, a delegate may move for the suspension of the meeting, to suspend all Committee functions until the next meeting. The Chairperson may rule such motions out of order. When in order, such motions will not be debatable but will be immediately put to a vote, barring any motions taking precedence, and will require a majority to pass. A motion to adjourn will be out of order prior to the lapse of three-quarters of the time allotted for the last meeting of the Committee.
RULE #15- ADJOURNMENT OF THE MEETING
Whenever the floor is open, a delegate may move for the adjournment of the meeting, to suspend all Committee functions for the duration of the Conference. The Chairperson may rule such motions out of order. When in order, such motions will not be debatable but will be immediately put to a vote, barring any motions taking precedence, and will require a majority to pass. A motion to adjourn will be out of order prior to the lapse of three-quarters of the time allotted for the last meeting of the Committee.
RULES GOVERNING SPEECHES
RULE #16- SPEAKERS LIST
The Committee will have an open Speakers List for the Topic Area being discussed. The Chairperson will either set a speaker’s time or entertain motions to set a speaking time. Separate Speakers Lists will be established as needed for procedural motions and debate on amendments. A country may add its name to the Speakers List by submitting a request in writing to the Chairperson, provided that country is not already on the Speakers List, and may remove its name from the Speakers List by submitting a request in writing to the Chairperson. At any time the Chairperson may call for members that wish to be added to the Speakers List. The names of the next several countries to speak will always be posted for the convenience of the Committee. The new Speakers List for the second topic area will not be open until the Committee has proceeded to that topic. A motion to close any Speakers List is never in order.
RULE #17- SPEECHES
No delegate may address a session without having previously obtained the permission of the Chairperson. The Chairperson may call a speaker to order if his/her remarks are not relevant to the subject under discussion, or are offensive to committee members or staff.
RULE #18- TIME LIMIT ON SPEECHES
The Chairperson may limit the time allotted to each speaker. The minimum time limit will be ten seconds. When a delegate exceeds his/her allotted time, the Chairperson may call the speaker to order without delay.
RULE #19- YIELDS
A delegate granted the right to speak on a substantive issue may yield in one of three ways at the conclusion of his/her speech- to another delegate, to questions, or to the Chairperson.
Please note that only one yield is allowed. A delegate must declare any yield at the conclusion of his or her speech.
Only one yield is allowed per speech (i.e. no yields on yielded time). There are no yields allowed if the delegate is speaking on a procedural matter or his/her time has expired. A Delegate must declare any yield by the conclusion of his/her speech. If no yield is made, a yield to the Chairperson will be automatically assumed.
The Committee will have an open Speakers List for the Topic Area being discussed. The Chairperson will either set a speaker’s time or entertain motions to set a speaking time. Separate Speakers Lists will be established as needed for procedural motions and debate on amendments. A country may add its name to the Speakers List by submitting a request in writing to the Chairperson, provided that country is not already on the Speakers List, and may remove its name from the Speakers List by submitting a request in writing to the Chairperson. At any time the Chairperson may call for members that wish to be added to the Speakers List. The names of the next several countries to speak will always be posted for the convenience of the Committee. The new Speakers List for the second topic area will not be open until the Committee has proceeded to that topic. A motion to close any Speakers List is never in order.
RULE #17- SPEECHES
No delegate may address a session without having previously obtained the permission of the Chairperson. The Chairperson may call a speaker to order if his/her remarks are not relevant to the subject under discussion, or are offensive to committee members or staff.
RULE #18- TIME LIMIT ON SPEECHES
The Chairperson may limit the time allotted to each speaker. The minimum time limit will be ten seconds. When a delegate exceeds his/her allotted time, the Chairperson may call the speaker to order without delay.
RULE #19- YIELDS
A delegate granted the right to speak on a substantive issue may yield in one of three ways at the conclusion of his/her speech- to another delegate, to questions, or to the Chairperson.
Please note that only one yield is allowed. A delegate must declare any yield at the conclusion of his or her speech.
- Yield to another delegate. His or her remaining time will be offered to that delegate. The Chairperson shall recognize the delegate for the remaining time(the remaining time has to be more than 10 seconds). To turn the floor over to a co-delegate of the same member state is not considered a yield.
- Yield to questions. Questioners will be selected by the Chairperson and limited to one question each. Follow-up questions will be allowed only at the discretion of the Chairperson. The Chairperson will have the right to call to order any delegate whose question is, in the opinion of the Chairperson, not designed to elicit information. Only the speaker’s answers to questions will be deducted from the speaker’s remaining time.
- Yield to the Chairperson. Such a yield should be made if the delegate does not wish his/her speech to be subject to questions. The moderator will then move to the next speaker.
Only one yield is allowed per speech (i.e. no yields on yielded time). There are no yields allowed if the delegate is speaking on a procedural matter or his/her time has expired. A Delegate must declare any yield by the conclusion of his/her speech. If no yield is made, a yield to the Chairperson will be automatically assumed.
RULES GOVERNING POINTS
RULE #20- POINTS OF PERSONAL PRIVILEGE
Whenever a delegate experiences personal discomfort which impairs his or her ability to participate in the proceedings, he or she may rise to a Point of Personal Privilege to request that the discomfort be corrected. A Point of Personal Privilege may only interrupt a speaker if the delegate speaking is inaudible. Otherwise, the delegate rising on the Point of Personal Privilege must always wait till the end of the speech to raise the Point.
RULE #21- POINTS OF ORDER
During the discussion of any matter, a delegate may rise to a Point of Order to indicate an instance of improper parliamentary procedure. The Point of Order will be immediately decided by the Chairperson in accordance with these rules of procedure. The Chairperson may rule out of order those points that are improper. A representative rising to a Point of Order may not speak on the substance of the matter under discussion. A Point of Order may interrupt a speaker only if the speech is not following proper parliamentary procedure.
RULE #22- POINTS OF PARLIAMENTARY INQUIRY
When the floor is open, a delegate may rise to a Point of Parliamentary Inquiry to ask the Chairperson a question regarding the rules of procedure. A Point of Parliamentary Inquiry may never interrupt a speaker. Delegates with substantive questions should not rise to this Point, but should rather approach the committee staff during caucus or send a note to the dais.
Whenever a delegate experiences personal discomfort which impairs his or her ability to participate in the proceedings, he or she may rise to a Point of Personal Privilege to request that the discomfort be corrected. A Point of Personal Privilege may only interrupt a speaker if the delegate speaking is inaudible. Otherwise, the delegate rising on the Point of Personal Privilege must always wait till the end of the speech to raise the Point.
RULE #21- POINTS OF ORDER
During the discussion of any matter, a delegate may rise to a Point of Order to indicate an instance of improper parliamentary procedure. The Point of Order will be immediately decided by the Chairperson in accordance with these rules of procedure. The Chairperson may rule out of order those points that are improper. A representative rising to a Point of Order may not speak on the substance of the matter under discussion. A Point of Order may interrupt a speaker only if the speech is not following proper parliamentary procedure.
RULE #22- POINTS OF PARLIAMENTARY INQUIRY
When the floor is open, a delegate may rise to a Point of Parliamentary Inquiry to ask the Chairperson a question regarding the rules of procedure. A Point of Parliamentary Inquiry may never interrupt a speaker. Delegates with substantive questions should not rise to this Point, but should rather approach the committee staff during caucus or send a note to the dais.
RULES GOVERNING THE PATH TO A DRAFT RESOLUTION
RULE #23- WORKING PAPERS
Delegates may propose working papers for committee consideration. Working papers are intended to aid the Committee in its discussion and formulation of draft resolutions and need not be written in draft resolution format. Working papers are not official documents, but do require at least three signatories of present delegations and the approval of the Chairperson to be copied and distributed. Once posted on the bulletin board, delegates may begin to refer to that working paper by its designated number, but otherwise debated proceeds normally on the topic.
RULE #24- INTRODUCTION OF WORKING PAPERS
A procedural vote requiring a simple majority to pass is taken to determine whether the working paper shall be introduced. Without introduction, there cannot be any substantive debate or mentioning on the working paper.
RULE #25- DRAFT RESOLUTIONS
A draft resolution may be introduced when it receives the approval of the Chairperson and is signed by one fifth of present delegations in the committee. Signing a draft resolution need not to indicate the support of the draft resolution. And the signatory has no further obligations. Signing a draft resolution only indicates a desire for the draft resolution to be discussed in committee. A draft resolution requires a simple majority of members voting pass. Only one draft resolution will be passed per topic area. After a draft resolution is passed, voting procedure will end and the committee will move back to General Speakers’ List the Dias will accept the motion to adjourn the meeting.
RULE #26- INTRODUCTION OF DRAFT RESOLUTIONS
Once a draft resolution has been approved as stipulated above and has been copied and distributed, a delegate(s) may motion to introduce the draft resolution. The Chairperson, time permitting, shall recognize the drafting party(s) to read the preamble and operative clauses of the draft resolution. A procedural vote is then taken to determine whether the resolution shall be introduced. Should the motion received the simple majority required to pass, the draft resolution will be considered introduced and on the floor. The Chairperson, at his or her discretion, may recognize the drafting party(s) of the draft resolution to answer any clarificatory points on the draft resolution. More than one draft resolution may be on the floor at any one time, but at most one draft resolution may be passed per Topic Area. Debate on draft resolutions proceeds according to the general Speakers List for that topic area and delegates may then refer to the draft resolution by its designated number. No delegate may refer to a draft resolution until it is formally introduced.
RULE #27-FRIENDLY AMENDMENTS
A friendly amendment is proposed only by all the original sponsors of the draft resolution, and the change is incorporated into the draft resolution without a vote of the Committee.
RULE #28-UNFRIENDLY AMENDMENTS
An unfriendly amendment can be modified by any member state, and does not need support from all original sponsors. However, it requires 20% signatories in attendance to the Committee. Delegates may amend any draft resolution that has been introduced. Only one amendment may be introduced. Amendments to amendments are out of order; however, an amended part of a draft resolution may be further amended. There are no official sponsors of amendments or friendly amendments. Preambulatory phrases may not be amended. The final vote on the amendment is procedural.
After the vote, debate will resume according to the general Speakers List.
Delegates may propose working papers for committee consideration. Working papers are intended to aid the Committee in its discussion and formulation of draft resolutions and need not be written in draft resolution format. Working papers are not official documents, but do require at least three signatories of present delegations and the approval of the Chairperson to be copied and distributed. Once posted on the bulletin board, delegates may begin to refer to that working paper by its designated number, but otherwise debated proceeds normally on the topic.
RULE #24- INTRODUCTION OF WORKING PAPERS
A procedural vote requiring a simple majority to pass is taken to determine whether the working paper shall be introduced. Without introduction, there cannot be any substantive debate or mentioning on the working paper.
RULE #25- DRAFT RESOLUTIONS
A draft resolution may be introduced when it receives the approval of the Chairperson and is signed by one fifth of present delegations in the committee. Signing a draft resolution need not to indicate the support of the draft resolution. And the signatory has no further obligations. Signing a draft resolution only indicates a desire for the draft resolution to be discussed in committee. A draft resolution requires a simple majority of members voting pass. Only one draft resolution will be passed per topic area. After a draft resolution is passed, voting procedure will end and the committee will move back to General Speakers’ List the Dias will accept the motion to adjourn the meeting.
RULE #26- INTRODUCTION OF DRAFT RESOLUTIONS
Once a draft resolution has been approved as stipulated above and has been copied and distributed, a delegate(s) may motion to introduce the draft resolution. The Chairperson, time permitting, shall recognize the drafting party(s) to read the preamble and operative clauses of the draft resolution. A procedural vote is then taken to determine whether the resolution shall be introduced. Should the motion received the simple majority required to pass, the draft resolution will be considered introduced and on the floor. The Chairperson, at his or her discretion, may recognize the drafting party(s) of the draft resolution to answer any clarificatory points on the draft resolution. More than one draft resolution may be on the floor at any one time, but at most one draft resolution may be passed per Topic Area. Debate on draft resolutions proceeds according to the general Speakers List for that topic area and delegates may then refer to the draft resolution by its designated number. No delegate may refer to a draft resolution until it is formally introduced.
RULE #27-FRIENDLY AMENDMENTS
A friendly amendment is proposed only by all the original sponsors of the draft resolution, and the change is incorporated into the draft resolution without a vote of the Committee.
RULE #28-UNFRIENDLY AMENDMENTS
An unfriendly amendment can be modified by any member state, and does not need support from all original sponsors. However, it requires 20% signatories in attendance to the Committee. Delegates may amend any draft resolution that has been introduced. Only one amendment may be introduced. Amendments to amendments are out of order; however, an amended part of a draft resolution may be further amended. There are no official sponsors of amendments or friendly amendments. Preambulatory phrases may not be amended. The final vote on the amendment is procedural.
- A motion to introduce an approved amendment may be introduced when the floor is open. If the motion receives the simple majority required to pass, the Chairperson will read the amendment aloud, if time permitting. General Debate will be suspended and a Speakers List will be established for and against the amendment.
- Following the normal procedure of RULE #13, the Chairperson will recognize two delegates against the motion to close debate, and a vote of two-thirds is required for closure.
- When debate is closed on the amendment, the Committee will move to an immediate vote. Amendments need a simple majority to pass.
After the vote, debate will resume according to the general Speakers List.
RULES GOVERNING VOTING
RULE #29- PROCEDURAL VOTING
All voting is considered procedural with the exception of voting on draft resolutions. Delegates must vote on all procedural motions, and no abstentions are allowed. A motion that requires a simple majority needs more than half of the committee members to vote affirmatively. A motion that requires two-thirds to pass requires exactly two-thirds of the committee members to vote affirmatively. If there is not the required number of speakers for/against a motion, the motion will automatically fail/pass. In Security Council Simulations, to pass a procedural voting requires affirmative votes of at least nine of the fifteen members.
RULE #30- SUBSTANTIVE VOTING
The only substantive voting will be voting on draft resolutions. All other votes will be procedural votes. After debate has been closed on the general topic area, the committee will move into substantive voting procedures and the chambers are then sealed. At that point, only the following points and motions will be entertained- Division of the Question, Reordering Draft Resolutions, Motion for a Roll Call Vote, Point of Personal Privilege, Point of Parliamentary Inquiry and Point of Order. If there are no such motions, the committee will vote on all draft resolutions. For substantive voting, each country will have one vote. Each vote may be a “Yes,” “No,” or “Abstain” and “pass”. Members who abstain from voting will be taken as neutral. All matters will be voted upon using placards by default, except if a motion for a roll call vote is accepted. A simple majority requires “Yes” voted from more than half of the members voting (i.e. more affirmative votes than negative votes). Once any resolution has been passed, the voting procedure is closed, as only one resolution may be passed in a topic area. In Security Council Simulations, to pass a substantive voting requires nine votes, including the concurring votes of all five permanent members. This is the rule of “great Power unanimity,” often referred to as the “veto” power.
RULE #31- ROLL CALL VOTING
After debate is closed on any draft resolution, any delegate may request a roll call vote. Such a motion may be made from the floor, seconded by one fifth of the present delegations in the committee. A motion for a roll call vote is in order only for substantive votes.
In a roll call vote, the Chairperson will call countries in alphabetical order starting with a selected member.
The Chairperson will then announce the outcome of the vote.
RULE #32- REORDERING DRAFT RESOLUTIONS
A Motion to Reorder Draft resolutions will only be in order immediately after entering voting procedure, and before voting has started on any draft resolutions. The motion requires simple majority to pass. The Chairperson will take all motions to reorder draft resolutions and then vote on them in the order in which the requirements that have been raised. Voting will continue until either a motion passes, receiving a simple majority, or all of the motions fail, in which case the committee will move into voting procedure, voting on the draft resolutions in their original order. Only one motion to reorder draft resolutions is in order in each round of voting procedures.
RULE #33- DIVISION OF THE QUESTION
After debate on any topic has been closed, a delegate may move that operative parts of a draft resolution be voted on separately. Preambulatory clauses and sub-operative clauses may not be removed by division of the question.
Parts of the draft resolution that are subsequently passed will be recombined into a final document. The final document will be put to a substantive vote as a whole, requiring a simple majority of those voting „yes‟ or „no‟ to pass.
All voting is considered procedural with the exception of voting on draft resolutions. Delegates must vote on all procedural motions, and no abstentions are allowed. A motion that requires a simple majority needs more than half of the committee members to vote affirmatively. A motion that requires two-thirds to pass requires exactly two-thirds of the committee members to vote affirmatively. If there is not the required number of speakers for/against a motion, the motion will automatically fail/pass. In Security Council Simulations, to pass a procedural voting requires affirmative votes of at least nine of the fifteen members.
RULE #30- SUBSTANTIVE VOTING
The only substantive voting will be voting on draft resolutions. All other votes will be procedural votes. After debate has been closed on the general topic area, the committee will move into substantive voting procedures and the chambers are then sealed. At that point, only the following points and motions will be entertained- Division of the Question, Reordering Draft Resolutions, Motion for a Roll Call Vote, Point of Personal Privilege, Point of Parliamentary Inquiry and Point of Order. If there are no such motions, the committee will vote on all draft resolutions. For substantive voting, each country will have one vote. Each vote may be a “Yes,” “No,” or “Abstain” and “pass”. Members who abstain from voting will be taken as neutral. All matters will be voted upon using placards by default, except if a motion for a roll call vote is accepted. A simple majority requires “Yes” voted from more than half of the members voting (i.e. more affirmative votes than negative votes). Once any resolution has been passed, the voting procedure is closed, as only one resolution may be passed in a topic area. In Security Council Simulations, to pass a substantive voting requires nine votes, including the concurring votes of all five permanent members. This is the rule of “great Power unanimity,” often referred to as the “veto” power.
RULE #31- ROLL CALL VOTING
After debate is closed on any draft resolution, any delegate may request a roll call vote. Such a motion may be made from the floor, seconded by one fifth of the present delegations in the committee. A motion for a roll call vote is in order only for substantive votes.
In a roll call vote, the Chairperson will call countries in alphabetical order starting with a selected member.
- In the first sequence, delegates may vote “Yes,” “No,” “Abstain,” or “Pass.” A delegate may request the right to explain his or her vote only when the delegate is voting against the policy of his or her country; such a vote is termed „with Rights‟. The delegate may only explain an affirmative or negative vote, not an abstention from voting.
- A delegate who passes during the first sequence of the roll call must vote (i.e. may not abstain or pass) during the second sequence. The same delegate may not request the right to explain his/her vote.
- All delegates who had requested the right of explanation will be granted time to explain their votes. The speaking time will be set at the discretion of the Chairperson, not to exceed thirty seconds.
The Chairperson will then announce the outcome of the vote.
RULE #32- REORDERING DRAFT RESOLUTIONS
A Motion to Reorder Draft resolutions will only be in order immediately after entering voting procedure, and before voting has started on any draft resolutions. The motion requires simple majority to pass. The Chairperson will take all motions to reorder draft resolutions and then vote on them in the order in which the requirements that have been raised. Voting will continue until either a motion passes, receiving a simple majority, or all of the motions fail, in which case the committee will move into voting procedure, voting on the draft resolutions in their original order. Only one motion to reorder draft resolutions is in order in each round of voting procedures.
RULE #33- DIVISION OF THE QUESTION
After debate on any topic has been closed, a delegate may move that operative parts of a draft resolution be voted on separately. Preambulatory clauses and sub-operative clauses may not be removed by division of the question.
- The motion can be debated to the extent of at most two speakers for and two against, to be followed by an immediate procedural vote on that motion.
- If the motion receives the simple majority required to pass, the Chairperson will take motions on how to divide the question and prioritize them from most severe to least severe.
- The committee will then vote on the motions in the order set by the Chairperson. If no division passes, the resolution remains intact. Once a division, requiring a simple majority, has been passed, the resolution will be divided accordingly, and a separate procedural vote (implying no abstentions) will be taken on each divided part to determine whether or not it is included in the final draft. If all of the operative parts of the substantive proposal are rejected, the draft resolution will be considered to have been rejected as a whole.
Parts of the draft resolution that are subsequently passed will be recombined into a final document. The final document will be put to a substantive vote as a whole, requiring a simple majority of those voting „yes‟ or „no‟ to pass.
PRECEDENCE OF MOTIONS
Motions will be considered in the following order of preference-
1. Point of Personal Privilege (RULE #20)
2. Point of Order (RULE #21)
3. Point of Parliamentary Inquiry (RULE #21)
4. Adjournment of the Meeting (RULE #15)
5. Suspension of the Meeting (RULE #14)
6. Un-moderated Caucusing (RULE #11)
7. Moderated Caucusing (RULE #12)
8. Introduction of Draft Resolutions (RULE #26)
9. Introduction of an Amendment (RULE #27)
10. Introduction of Working Papers (RULE #24)
11. Closure of Debate (RULE #13)
At the start of voting procedure, the following points and motions are in order, in the following order of precedence-
1. Point of Personal Privilege (RULE #20)
2. Point of Order (RULE #21)
3. Point of Parliamentary Inquiry (RULE #22)
4. Reordering Draft Resolutions (RULE #32)
5. Division of the Question (RULE #33)
6. Motion for a Roll Call Vote (RULE #30)
1. Point of Personal Privilege (RULE #20)
2. Point of Order (RULE #21)
3. Point of Parliamentary Inquiry (RULE #21)
4. Adjournment of the Meeting (RULE #15)
5. Suspension of the Meeting (RULE #14)
6. Un-moderated Caucusing (RULE #11)
7. Moderated Caucusing (RULE #12)
8. Introduction of Draft Resolutions (RULE #26)
9. Introduction of an Amendment (RULE #27)
10. Introduction of Working Papers (RULE #24)
11. Closure of Debate (RULE #13)
At the start of voting procedure, the following points and motions are in order, in the following order of precedence-
1. Point of Personal Privilege (RULE #20)
2. Point of Order (RULE #21)
3. Point of Parliamentary Inquiry (RULE #22)
4. Reordering Draft Resolutions (RULE #32)
5. Division of the Question (RULE #33)
6. Motion for a Roll Call Vote (RULE #30)