Conference Rules and Procedure
(THIMUN rules and procedures apply for ENIMUN)
A) Modes of Debate
Open Debate: This gives the opportunity for all delegates to take the floor to discuss anything related to the resolution without any restriction.
Closed Debate: This is the section of the debate where the delegates can take the floor as “in favour” or “against.” However, closed debate is permitted and required during the debate of amendments in the aforementioned forums.
Ad-Hoc Debate: This is when amendments are used to build the resolution on a clause-by clause basis; the Security Council uses this form of debate.
'Open debate’ will be the debate mode in the ENIMUN committees.
B) Parliamentary Language
While referring to the:
Chair: ‘Most distinguished chair’
Delegate: ‘Honourable delegate’ (The use of he/she is not appropriate during references to other delegates. ’You’ is only appropriate when it applies to the whole delegation.)
Speaker: 'We' should be the form of addressing one's delegation. Speakers should NEVER use ‘I’ to address themselves. 'Less Economically Developed Countries (LEDCs)’ in the place of the terms such as ‘poor’ or ‘third world’ and ‘More Economically Developed Countries (MEDCs)’ in the place of terms such as ‘rich’ should be used.
C) Rising to Points
1. Point of Personal Privilege
Definition: It is a personal request to alter something. (I.E. the temperature of the room, the audibility of the speaker) It depends according to the comfort of the delegate.
Conditions: It may ONLY interrupt the speaker if it concerns the audibility of the speaker. It does not require any ‘second’s.
2. Point of Order
Definition: It is a point that refers to the procedural matters only. It is used if a chair makes a mistake in the order of debate or in the setting/observing of debate time.
Conditions: It may NOT interrupt a speaker. Often delegates are anxious to shout out ‘Point of Order’ but the delegates must wait until the speaker is done and the floor is open for debate. The order is not open to debate and it refers to a matter that has just happened. I.E. ‘Is it in order for the delegate to yield the floor to another delegate since the floor was previously yielded to them by Costa Rica?’
3. Point of Information Directed to the Speaker
Definition: It is a question directed to the delegate that has the floor, and who has indicated that he/she is open to points of information.
Conditions: The speaker asking the ‘Point of Information’ may only speak if recognised by the chair. It must always be in a question format. Otherwise, it is considered inappropriate and is out of order.
4. Point of Information Directed to the Chair
Definition: It is a question directed to the chair about anything that is not covered by the other points. It is a way for the delegates to clarify information regarding the topic under debate and to ask factual questions. It may also be a question about the schedule of the day.
Conditions: It may NOT interrupt a speaker. If the delegate asks a specific question, the chair may ask the house to allow him/her the time to look up information. Usually, the expert chair who wrote the research report on the issue will provide the necessary information.
5. Point of Parliamentary Inquiry
Definition: It is a question directed to the chair about the protocol. Its aim is to clarify the procedures of the debate.
Conditions: The difference between this Inquiry and a Point of Order is that Point of Order aims to point out a fact that the delegate wants to make or is missing in the procedure; in contrast to this, Point of Parliamentary Inquiry seeks an explanation about a procedural matter the delegate is confused about.
A Point of Parliamentary Inquiry CANNOT interrupt a speaker. It is expected that the delegate will refer to the Chair directly with the question.
D) Procedural Motions
1. Motion to Move to the Previous Question:
Advancing to the voting procedure of the clauses/amendments in regard to the resolution at hand.
How the Process Works: It requires a ‘second’ (support) by the House, and is quickly voted upon if there aren’t any objections.
The Vote: If an objection is voiced, a quick vote is taken. For the motion to pass a 75% majority is required.
2. Motion to Adjourn the Debate:
It is also used as ‘motion to table the resolution/amendment’. It is considered to be a destructive motion. It directly means suspending the debate on a proposal.
How the Process Works: Since this motion almost always serves as a destructive purpose, the motion is rarely entertained by the chair.
The Vote: It needs a simple majority to be passed and for the proposal to be tabled.
3. Motion to Reconsider a Resolution
How the Process Works: It is the motion to bring a resolution back for consideration by the house. It is done at the end of all other committee affairs and is used for tabled resolutions or failed resolutions.
The Vote: It is not debated; rather the house immediately votes upon it.
4. Motion to Refer the Resolution at Another Forum (e.g. Security Council, Special Committees)
How the Process Works: It is a motion which sends the resolution to a different committee, almost always is the Security Council, whose decision will be the final decision. The selected house votes and debates on the given resolution.
The Vote: The chair rarely entertains this motion due to time constraints. Often when this motion is moved, there are attempts to avoid this motion by amendments that reword the clause. It requires a 75% majority.
5. Objections to the Main Motion
How the Process Works: It is a motion to object to the discussion of a specific agenda item within the context of the resolution. This lowers both the efficiency and the quality of the debate. If the ‘objection to the main motion’ is adopted, the discussion of the resolution on the topic is cut off, without any chance of being reconsidered.
Proposer of the Motion: A delegate whose sovereignty is threatened by this motion will use this motion. Examples include Israel during the discussion of Palestinian National Authority or China during the discussion of Taiwan/Tibet.
The Vote: It is almost overruled by the chair. However, it is the chair’s discretion and can be entertained just for the sake of debate, considering that it is very difficult for this objection to pass. The proposer of the motion has one minute to explain the objection and the main submitter of the resolution has equal time to defend the agenda item and the resolution. It requires the majority of delegates (at 75%) who support the objection to the main motion.
6. Motion to Extend Debate Time
How the Process Works: This is a motion to call for more time for the discussion of the resolution or amendment that includes the point to be expanded.
The Vote: This motion is not open to debate and is at the decision of the chair. If the chair rules on having the “division of the house,” the chair takes the vote by calling on all delegations in alphabetical order.
E) Amendments
There are three ways to make amendments:
Strike Out: The delegate may strike an entire clause or part of a clause out. A delegate may not strike out multiple clauses or multiple sub clauses.
Add: The delegate may add an entirely new clause. The delegate may also choose to add a new sub clause. Adding only one clause or sub clause at a time is allowed.
Insert: The delegate may choose to insert a new continuous phrase into the clause.
F) Voting
1. Voting on resolutions
Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs) and Non Member Delegations (NMDs) are not allowed to vote. Delegates can vote for, against or abstain.
2. Voting on amendments
Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs) and Non-Member Delegations (NMDs) are not allowed to vote. Delegates can vote for or against. Abstentions are not in order.
1. Voting on procedural matters
Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs) and Non-Member Delegations (NMDs) are allowed to vote. Delegates can vote for or against.
NOTE: It is forbidden to state a motion or point during the voting procedure. A motion or point during the voting procedure (“Point of order” is an exception as long as there is a procedural mistake regarding the voting procedure) is not permitted. The same rules apply during the division of the house.
You can access the THIMUN Rules of Procedure with this link: http://www.thimun.org/images/downloads/Rules_of_Procedure_revised.pdf -
Our conference booklet can be found here.
(THIMUN rules and procedures apply for ENIMUN)
A) Modes of Debate
Open Debate: This gives the opportunity for all delegates to take the floor to discuss anything related to the resolution without any restriction.
Closed Debate: This is the section of the debate where the delegates can take the floor as “in favour” or “against.” However, closed debate is permitted and required during the debate of amendments in the aforementioned forums.
Ad-Hoc Debate: This is when amendments are used to build the resolution on a clause-by clause basis; the Security Council uses this form of debate.
'Open debate’ will be the debate mode in the ENIMUN committees.
B) Parliamentary Language
While referring to the:
Chair: ‘Most distinguished chair’
Delegate: ‘Honourable delegate’ (The use of he/she is not appropriate during references to other delegates. ’You’ is only appropriate when it applies to the whole delegation.)
Speaker: 'We' should be the form of addressing one's delegation. Speakers should NEVER use ‘I’ to address themselves. 'Less Economically Developed Countries (LEDCs)’ in the place of the terms such as ‘poor’ or ‘third world’ and ‘More Economically Developed Countries (MEDCs)’ in the place of terms such as ‘rich’ should be used.
C) Rising to Points
1. Point of Personal Privilege
Definition: It is a personal request to alter something. (I.E. the temperature of the room, the audibility of the speaker) It depends according to the comfort of the delegate.
Conditions: It may ONLY interrupt the speaker if it concerns the audibility of the speaker. It does not require any ‘second’s.
2. Point of Order
Definition: It is a point that refers to the procedural matters only. It is used if a chair makes a mistake in the order of debate or in the setting/observing of debate time.
Conditions: It may NOT interrupt a speaker. Often delegates are anxious to shout out ‘Point of Order’ but the delegates must wait until the speaker is done and the floor is open for debate. The order is not open to debate and it refers to a matter that has just happened. I.E. ‘Is it in order for the delegate to yield the floor to another delegate since the floor was previously yielded to them by Costa Rica?’
3. Point of Information Directed to the Speaker
Definition: It is a question directed to the delegate that has the floor, and who has indicated that he/she is open to points of information.
Conditions: The speaker asking the ‘Point of Information’ may only speak if recognised by the chair. It must always be in a question format. Otherwise, it is considered inappropriate and is out of order.
4. Point of Information Directed to the Chair
Definition: It is a question directed to the chair about anything that is not covered by the other points. It is a way for the delegates to clarify information regarding the topic under debate and to ask factual questions. It may also be a question about the schedule of the day.
Conditions: It may NOT interrupt a speaker. If the delegate asks a specific question, the chair may ask the house to allow him/her the time to look up information. Usually, the expert chair who wrote the research report on the issue will provide the necessary information.
5. Point of Parliamentary Inquiry
Definition: It is a question directed to the chair about the protocol. Its aim is to clarify the procedures of the debate.
Conditions: The difference between this Inquiry and a Point of Order is that Point of Order aims to point out a fact that the delegate wants to make or is missing in the procedure; in contrast to this, Point of Parliamentary Inquiry seeks an explanation about a procedural matter the delegate is confused about.
A Point of Parliamentary Inquiry CANNOT interrupt a speaker. It is expected that the delegate will refer to the Chair directly with the question.
D) Procedural Motions
1. Motion to Move to the Previous Question:
Advancing to the voting procedure of the clauses/amendments in regard to the resolution at hand.
How the Process Works: It requires a ‘second’ (support) by the House, and is quickly voted upon if there aren’t any objections.
The Vote: If an objection is voiced, a quick vote is taken. For the motion to pass a 75% majority is required.
2. Motion to Adjourn the Debate:
It is also used as ‘motion to table the resolution/amendment’. It is considered to be a destructive motion. It directly means suspending the debate on a proposal.
How the Process Works: Since this motion almost always serves as a destructive purpose, the motion is rarely entertained by the chair.
The Vote: It needs a simple majority to be passed and for the proposal to be tabled.
3. Motion to Reconsider a Resolution
How the Process Works: It is the motion to bring a resolution back for consideration by the house. It is done at the end of all other committee affairs and is used for tabled resolutions or failed resolutions.
The Vote: It is not debated; rather the house immediately votes upon it.
4. Motion to Refer the Resolution at Another Forum (e.g. Security Council, Special Committees)
How the Process Works: It is a motion which sends the resolution to a different committee, almost always is the Security Council, whose decision will be the final decision. The selected house votes and debates on the given resolution.
The Vote: The chair rarely entertains this motion due to time constraints. Often when this motion is moved, there are attempts to avoid this motion by amendments that reword the clause. It requires a 75% majority.
5. Objections to the Main Motion
How the Process Works: It is a motion to object to the discussion of a specific agenda item within the context of the resolution. This lowers both the efficiency and the quality of the debate. If the ‘objection to the main motion’ is adopted, the discussion of the resolution on the topic is cut off, without any chance of being reconsidered.
Proposer of the Motion: A delegate whose sovereignty is threatened by this motion will use this motion. Examples include Israel during the discussion of Palestinian National Authority or China during the discussion of Taiwan/Tibet.
The Vote: It is almost overruled by the chair. However, it is the chair’s discretion and can be entertained just for the sake of debate, considering that it is very difficult for this objection to pass. The proposer of the motion has one minute to explain the objection and the main submitter of the resolution has equal time to defend the agenda item and the resolution. It requires the majority of delegates (at 75%) who support the objection to the main motion.
6. Motion to Extend Debate Time
How the Process Works: This is a motion to call for more time for the discussion of the resolution or amendment that includes the point to be expanded.
The Vote: This motion is not open to debate and is at the decision of the chair. If the chair rules on having the “division of the house,” the chair takes the vote by calling on all delegations in alphabetical order.
E) Amendments
There are three ways to make amendments:
Strike Out: The delegate may strike an entire clause or part of a clause out. A delegate may not strike out multiple clauses or multiple sub clauses.
Add: The delegate may add an entirely new clause. The delegate may also choose to add a new sub clause. Adding only one clause or sub clause at a time is allowed.
Insert: The delegate may choose to insert a new continuous phrase into the clause.
F) Voting
1. Voting on resolutions
Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs) and Non Member Delegations (NMDs) are not allowed to vote. Delegates can vote for, against or abstain.
2. Voting on amendments
Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs) and Non-Member Delegations (NMDs) are not allowed to vote. Delegates can vote for or against. Abstentions are not in order.
1. Voting on procedural matters
Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs) and Non-Member Delegations (NMDs) are allowed to vote. Delegates can vote for or against.
NOTE: It is forbidden to state a motion or point during the voting procedure. A motion or point during the voting procedure (“Point of order” is an exception as long as there is a procedural mistake regarding the voting procedure) is not permitted. The same rules apply during the division of the house.
You can access the THIMUN Rules of Procedure with this link: http://www.thimun.org/images/downloads/Rules_of_Procedure_revised.pdf -
Our conference booklet can be found here.
