Voting

METHODS OF DECISION:
All procedural decisions, except for the closure and adjournment of debate, shall be made by a simple majority of the delegations present. Delegations physically present in the committee may not abstain on procedural motions. Decisions on draft resolutions and amendments shall require a simple majority in favour. However, the passage of all resolutions and amendments in the Security Council requires nine affirmative votes and an affirmative vote or an abstention on the part of all permanent members (People‟s Republic of China, France, Russian Federation, United States of America and United Kingdom).

VOTING RIGHTS:
Each present delegate shall have one vote. Observing nations and non-governmental organizations (NGOs) cannot vote on substantive matters. Each vote may be a Yes, No or Abstain. On procedural motions, members may not abstain. Members “present and voting” shall be defined as members casting an affirmative or negative vote (no abstentions) on all substantive votes.

CONDUCT WHILE IN VOTING PROCEDURE:
After the Chair has announced the beginning of voting, no representative may enter or leave the room, nor shall any representative interrupt the voting except on a Point of Personal Privilege, Point of Inquiry, or a Point of Order in connection with the actual conduct of the voting. Communication between delegates is strictly forbidden. Any breach of this rule may lead to the taking away of voting rights of the delegates.

METHOD OF VOTING:
Delegations may vote in favour of or against a proposal or may abstain from voting. The committee shall normally vote by show of placards, but any delegate may request a roll call vote on substantive matters. The roll call vote shall be taken in alphabetical order of the English names of the countries present. A roll call vote requires a second. During a roll call vote, delegations may answer with an affirmative vote, a negative vote, an abstention (when appropriate) or may pass. Delegations passing in the first round of voting will be called upon alphabetically in a second round, at which time they may only answer with an affirmative or negative vote. Delegations that appear to be voting out of policy, while casting an affirmative or negative vote, may reserve the right to explain their vote by „Voting with Rights‟. Delegations must announce that they are voting with Rights at the time they cast their vote. The Chair may permit delegations voting with Rights to explain their votes after voting has concluded but before the decision has been announced.

JOINT STATEMENTS:
The chair of any committee may suggest any two opposing countries, to come up with a “Joint Statement” which contains terms and conditions agreeable to both parties. This can be suggested only if the focus of the topic concerns very specific issue relating to two particular countries. (Ex. Indo-Pak issue, Israel-Palestine)