When Parliament votes on a question, it is decided by a majority of the members who are present and voting. The person in charge of the meeting (the Speaker) does not have a vote, not even to break a tie. If the votes are equal, the motion fails automatically. This makes sure that no single person can decide the outcome.

Except as otherwise prescribed by this Constitution or any law consistent with this Constitution, any question proposed for decision of Parliament shall be determined by a majority of votes of the members present and voting in a manner prescribed by rules of procedure made by Parliament under <span class="underline-gradient ref" data-tippy-content data-ref="94">Article 94</span> of this Constitution.

The person presiding in Parliament shall have neither an original nor a casting vote and if on any question before Parliament the votes are equally divided, the motion shall be lost.

Article 89 sets voting rules in Parliament, requiring a majority for decisions and no vote for the presiding officer

Article 89: How Voting Works in Parliament

<div style='font-weight:600; margin-bottom:12px; padding-bottom:6px'>Rules of procedure in Parliament</div><div style='margin-top:10px; margin-bottom:6px;'><strong>1</strong> Subject to the provisions of this Constitution, Parliament may make rules to regulate its own procedure, including the procedure of its committees.<div style='margin-left:16px; margin-top:6px; margin-bottom:4px;'></div><div style='margin-top:10px; margin-bottom:6px;'><strong>2</strong> Parliament may act notwithstanding a vacancy in its membership.<div style='margin-left:16px; margin-top:6px; margin-bottom:4px;'></div><div style='margin-top:10px; margin-bottom:6px;'><strong>3</strong> The presence or the participation of a person not entitled to be present or to participate in the proceedings of Parliament shall not, by itself, invalidate those proceedings.<div style='margin-left:16px; margin-top:6px; margin-bottom:4px;'></div><div style='margin-top:10px; margin-bottom:6px;'><strong>4</strong> The rules of procedure of Parliament shall include the following provisions—<div style='margin-left:16px; margin-top:6px; margin-bottom:4px;'><div style='margin-bottom:6px;'><strong>(a)</strong> the Speaker shall determine the order of business in Parliament and shall give priority to Government business;</div><div style='margin-bottom:6px;'><strong>(b)</strong> a member of Parliament has the right to move a private member’s bill;</div><div style='margin-bottom:6px;'><strong>(c)</strong> the member moving the private member’s bill shall be afforded reasonable assistance by the department of Government whose area of operation is affected by the bill; and</div><div style='margin-bottom:6px;'><strong>(d)</strong> the office of the Attorney General shall afford the member moving the private member’s bill professional assistance in the drafting of the bill.</div></div></div>

Article 89: How Voting Works in Parliament

Procedure of Parliament

89.Voting in Parliament

Summary