Roll Call

 

Once delegates have taken their seats, the Chair will proceed with Roll Call. Countries can declare themselves as “Present”, or as “Present and Voting”. “Present” countries have the right to abstain when voting for resolutions and amendments, while countries that declared themselves “Present and Voting” cannot abstain when voting for resolutions and amendments.

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Speakers List

 

A Speakers list will be opened by the Chair. The Speakers list consists of speeches by any delegation, followed by questions, named Points of Information, that can be made by other delegations. These questions can include a preamble without the need of previous permission from the Chair.

 

Motions

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The following motions are to be used during committee sessions:

• Moderated Caucus: The Moderated Caucus is a form of debate that allows faster and more dynamic debate than the traditional Speakers List. It is used to discuss a specific aspect of the topic being discussed. Once the floor is open, the motion to open a Moderated Caucus is in order. No questions are allowed during a Moderated Caucus. The delegate who makes the motion must also provide the topic he or she wishes to discuss, as well as the time for the moderated caucus and for each speaker. A simple majority is necessary for this motion to pass.

• Unmoderated Caucus: An Unmoderated Caucus is used to discuss ideas and draft working papers. Once the floor is open, an Unmoderated Caucus may be in order.

• Right of Reply: If a delegate’s personal integrity has been disrespected or insulted, the delegate may make a request to the chair to evoke his Right of Reply. If granted the delegate shall briefly state any concerns he may have

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Points

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Points are in order only when the floor is open. It is important that points are used correctly, since misusing them may result in a warning. The following points are to be used during committee sessions:

• Point of Inquiry: Shall be used by a delegate to ask any question to the Chair, regarding the parliamentary procedure, information on the topics, or any other concerns the delegate may have.

• Point of Order: Shall be used by a delegate to indicate improper use of the parliamentary procedure.

• Point of Personal Privilege: Shall be used by a delegate when personal discomfort impairs his participation in the debate. It can be used if the delegate is uncomfortably hot, if the delegate speaking cannot be heard, or if the delegate feels any other discomfort. This is the only point that can interrupt a speaker.Because of this, this point must be used with utmost discretion.

 

Resolutions

 

• The first document to be handed over to the chair is a working paper, signed by 2 Sponsors, and at least 3 Signatories. Sponsors are the principal authors of the document, and must agree with its substance. Signatories may or may not agree with the working paper, but they wish to discuss its material.

• Once the document is approved by the chair, it is called a Draft Resolution. Once the floor is open, the delegate may make a motion to introduce a Draft Resolution, which automatically passes.

• The Sponsors of the Draft Resolution must present the document to the entire committee, and a session of questions will be in order once the Draft Resolution has been presented.

• A “for-against” speakers list will be opened to discuss the resolution. No questions will be in order.

• Before moving to the voting procedure, any delegation may introduce an amendment through a note addressed to the Chair. Amendments require a ⅔ majority to pass.

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Voting

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During any voting procedure, note passing is suspended, and delegates may only speak through points.

• A simple majority requires more “For” votes than “Against.”

• A ⅔ majority requires twice as many “For” votes than “Against” votes.

• Abstentions are not in order when voting for motions. However, abstentions are in order when voting for Draft Resolutions and amendments, except for countries who declared themselves as “Present and Voting” during Roll Call.

 

The following motions are in order during Voting Procedure for a Draft Resolution:

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• Roll Call Voting: Whether this motion passes is at the Chair’s discretion. If it passes, the Chair will proceed to call each delegation in alphabetical order.

• Division of the Question: This motion allows delegates to vote on each operative clause, rather than the document as a whole. A ⅔ majority is required for this motion to pass.

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