Part V - Parliament • Article

Article 100 Simplified: Voting in Houses, power of Houses to act notwithstanding vacancies and quorum

Article 100 sets the basic rules for work: 1) Decisions are made by a simple Majority. 2) The Speaker only votes if there is a 'Tie' (Casting Vote). 3) Quorum: A meeting can only happen if at least 1/10th of the members are present. If fewer people show up, the meeting must be cancelled.

Official Text

(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.]

Simple Meaning

Explain Like Ten

Imagine a class of 50 students. You need at least 5 students present before the teacher can start class (quorum). Decisions are made by whoever gets more votes. The teacher doesn't vote normally — only to break a tie. That's exactly how Parliament works under Article 100.

Student Mode

Article 100 sets the foundational rules for how Parliament decides things: (1) Simple majority: All questions decided by majority of members present and voting. (2) Speaker/Chairman does not vote in first instance — only exercises a casting vote in case of a tie. (3) Quorum: 1/10th of total membership (i.e., about 55 for Lok Sabha). If quorum is not present, the Speaker must adjourn or suspend the sitting. (4) Proceedings remain valid even if some ineligible persons participated — the House can act despite vacancies.

Example

If only 40 MPs show up in the Lok Sabha (which has 543 members), the Speaker must adjourn the House because the 1/10th Quorum rule isn't met.

Key Takeaway

Parliament needs a minimum number of people to make any decision.

FAQs

What is the quorum for the Lok Sabha?

One-tenth of total members. Since the Lok Sabha has 543 members, at least 55 must be present for the House to validly conduct business.

When does the Speaker get to vote?

Only when there is a tie (equality of votes) — the Speaker then casts a 'casting vote' to break the deadlock. In normal voting, the Speaker does not participate.

What happens if quorum is lacking during a sitting?

The Speaker must either adjourn the House or suspend the meeting until quorum is present.