Meaning
- Simple majority means a majority of the members present and voting. Those who are absent, abstain, or do not vote are not counted for this purpose. This is the ordinary voting rule used for most routine business in Parliament.
- A motion or bill is passed by simple majority when the number of votes in favour is more than the number of votes against among those present and voting.
Where it is commonly used
- A simple majority is commonly used for:
- ordinary bills
- money bills
- many routine motions and resolutions in Parliament.
Example
- If a House has 245 total members, but only 180 are present and 170 actually vote:
- 86 votes would not be enough
- at least 86+1 = 87 votes are needed only if all 170 valid votes are split 86–84? Actually the working principle is simpler: the side supporting the motion must get more votes than the side opposing it among those 170 votes cast.
- So if 86 vote in favour and 84 vote against, the motion passes. If 85 vote in favour and 85 vote against, it does not pass unless the presiding officer exercises a casting vote where permitted. This explanation follows the “present and voting” rule.
In simple majority, the total strength of the House does not matter directly. What matters is only the number of members present and voting.
