Question

Explain the powers of a chairman.

Answer 1

1. To maintain order and peace at the meeting: For the smooth conduct of the meeting, the chairman has the power to take necessary steps like preventing a member from misbehaving or stopping a member from making an irrelevant point.
2. To decide the priority of speakers: Every member has the right to speak in the meeting and express his opinion. In this respect, the Chairman has the power to decide the priority of speakers considering the importance of the issues.
3. To maintain order at the debate, the chairman has power to decide the order of the members to debate or speak in the meeting He can also decide the time limit for every speaker.
4. To prevent the use of improper language and behaviour of the member: Chairman has the power to stop a speaker from using improper language and making indecent remarks. He has the power to remove a member for his improper behaviour. He also has the power to remove disorderly members and non-members from the meeting.
5. To adjourn the meeting: To adjourn means to postpone the hearing or proceedings of the meeting until a future date or to put off (a problem, discussion, etc.) for later consideration. On account of certain limitations, the Chairman has the power to adjourn the meeting.
6. To exercise a casting vote: The chairman has the power to exercise a casting vote if there is a tie. A tie means the votes cast in favour of the proposal are equal to the votes cast against the proposal. The Chairman has the power to break a tie by exercising a casting vote either in favour or against the proposal.
7. To declare the result of voting: Voting enables the meeting to take a final decision. The Chairman has the power to put to vote the proposed resolution after sufficient discussion. He has the power to order a poll if he is not satisfied with the result of the voting by other methods. He has the power to declare the result of voting. Otherwise, the result becomes invalid.
8. To give ruling on a point of order: A point of order points out an irregularity in the procedure of the meeting. It is raised to draw the attention of the chairman to that irregularity. When a point of order is raised, discussion on the original motion is stopped for some time. The Chairman has the power to allow discussion and then to give his ruling on the point of order, which is final and binding on the members.