Committees
Rule 47Procedure
in committee
47.1. Except as otherwise provided,
procedure in committee shall follow that in the Assembly.
47.2. Voting
shall be by a majority of the votes cast.
A
committee shall vote by show of hands. For decisions relating to
persons, voting shall take place by secret ballot.
Except
on procedural matters, a vote shall be by roll call if so requested
by at least two members. The roll shall be called alphabetically
beginning with the letter “A”.
47.3. A
committee may deliberate and take decisions when one third of its
members
are present;
however, if so requested by one sixth of its members
before
voting begins on a draft opinion, recommendation or resolution as
a whole, or on the election or dismissal of the chairperson or vice-chairpersons,
the vote may be taken only if a majority of committee members are present.
47.4. A committee with 81 or 85
seats may adopt a motion for a recommendation or resolution with
no fewer than 20 members voting in favour of the motion; a committee
with fewer seats shall adopt motions for recommendations or resolutions
with the requisite quorum as defined in Rule 47.3. Declarations
by committees shall be adopted with the requisite quorum as defined
in Rule 47.3.
47.5. If
no quorum exists when a committee begins a meeting which is taking
place at the date, time and place which was notified to its members,
the chairperson shall have the power to close the meeting and forthwith
open a subsequent one during which the committee may deliberate
and vote, irrespective of the number of members present. During
such a meeting, the agenda sent out to committee members beforehand
shall not be changed. The provisions on roll call contained in paragraph
2 above shall not be applicable during such a meeting.
47.6. Except
during part-sessions, documents relating to items on the agenda
of a committee meeting shall be despatched to the members at least
one week before the date of that meeting. If they are not, and if
five or more members object, the items concerned shall be postponed
to a later meeting. The objection may be overruled by the committee
by a two-thirds majority.
47.7. The chairperson
shall open, suspend and close the meeting and shall direct the committee's
debates. He or she may take part in the committee's debates. He
or she does not participate in a vote except in the case of a tie.
He or she shall ensure observance of the Rules and maintain order.
47.8. A
full member of a committee who is prevented from attending a meeting
shall arrange to be replaced by his or her alternate.
Failing
that, the full member may inform the chairperson of the committee
which other member of his or her national delegation is authorised
to take his or her place.
47.9. The alternate replacing a
full member shall have the same rights in committee as the member.
47.10. Unless
the committee decides otherwise, the only texts which shall be made
public shall be the reports approved by the committee and statements
issued on the responsibility of the chairperson.
