(b)
Where there is no consensus and except where by law a resolution requires a
special majority, questions arising at a General Assembly meeting must be decided
by a majority of votes cast by the ‘A’ accredited members present and entitled to
vote at the meeting. Such a decision is for all purposes a decision of the Forum.
However, when, in the opinion of the chairperson, such a decision pertains to the
policy or principles governing a human rights issue any ‘A’ accredited member who
disagrees wholly or partly with such a policy and/or principle may record its
dissent/reservation specifying the area of dissent or reservation.
(c)
Where the votes on a proposed resolution are equal:
(1) the chairperson of the meeting does not have a second or casting vote; and
(2) the proposed resolution is taken as lost.
(d)
A resolution put to the vote of a General Assembly meeting must be decided on a
show of hands unless, before the vote is taken or before or immediately after the
declaration of the result of the show of hands, a poll is demanded by:
(1) the chairperson of the meeting;
(2) at least 2 ‘A’ accredited members present; or
(3) an ‘A’ accredited member or ‘A’ accredited members present at the meeting
and representing at least 5% of the total voting rights of all the ‘A’ accredited
members on a poll.
(e)
A demand for a poll does not prevent a General Assembly meeting continuing for
the transaction of any business except the question on which the poll has been
demanded.
(f)
Unless a poll is duly demanded, a declaration by the chairperson of a General
Assembly meeting that a resolution has on a show of hands been carried or carried
unanimously, or carried by a particular majority, or lost, and an entry to that effect
in the book containing the minutes of the proceedings of the Forum, is conclusive
evidence of the fact without proof of the number or proportion of the votes recorded
in favour of or against the resolution.
(g)
If a poll is duly demanded at a General Assembly meeting, it must be taken in such
manner, and either at once or after an interval or adjournment or otherwise, as the
chairperson of the meeting directs. The result of the poll is the resolution of the
meeting at which the poll was demanded.
(h)
A poll demanded at a General Assembly meeting on the election of a chairperson
of the meeting or on a question of adjournment must be taken immediately.
(i)
The demand for a poll may be withdrawn.
13.9 Voting rights
(a)
Subject to this constitution and to any rights or restrictions attached to any class of
membership, at a General Assembly meeting every ‘A’ accredited member present
has one vote.
(b)
Subject to this constitution:
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