Casting vote
Also called: Article 100 · Topic: Parliamentary Procedure, Committees and Privileges · NCERT: Beyond NCERT
Meaning
A casting vote is the presiding officer's vote, used only to break a tie. Article 100(1) says the Speaker, or whoever is presiding, does not vote in the first instance. That means they do not vote along with the other members. They vote only when the Ayes and the Noes are equal. The Chairman of the Rajya Sabha also has only a casting vote. This rule helps keep the presiding officer neutral.
Example
If a question in the Lok Sabha gets equal votes on both sides, the Speaker's casting vote decides it. There is one exception. When a resolution to remove the Speaker is being considered, the Speaker may vote in the first instance like any member, but has no casting vote (Article 96).
Don't confuse with
- Ordinary vote: every member votes in the first instance. The presiding officer normally does not.
Related concepts
- Speaker of the Lok Sabha
- Removal of the Speaker
- Pro tem Speaker
- Deputy Speaker
- Panel of chairpersons
- Chairman of the Rajya Sabha
- Deputy Chairman of the Rajya Sabha
- Panel of vice-chairpersons
- Voice vote
- Division