Overview of WMA Parliamentary Procedures_v2

These tables are for orientation only. They do neither substitute nor replace the text of any WMA statutory document.
Overview of Parliamentary Procedures
According to the RULE OF PROCEDURE
for
ALL DELIBERATIVE BODIES

Of THE WORLD MEDICAL ASSOCIATION, INC. (Doc. 32.70)

To do this You say this May you
interrupt
the
discussion?
Must you
be
seconded?
Is the motion
debatable?
Is the
motion
amendable?
What vote
is required?
Substantive motion = shall be subject to and voted after the subsidiary motions
Introduce a
main
substantive
motion (Must
be for a
particular
agenda item or
matter of
urgency)
“I move to
…[precisely
name the
motion in
accordance
with the
written
proposal]”
No No Yes Yes majority/
matters of
medical
ethics1 or
matters of
urgency2:
3⁄4 of the
General
Assembly
(!) delegates
present and
voting
Subsidiary motions – In the order of precedence (a,b,c,d,e,f)!
a) postpone
temporarily
“I move to
postpone
this motion
temporarily.”
No Yes No No majority
b) terminate
debate and
vote
immediately on
the pending
motion (only)
“I move to
terminate
debate and
vote
immediately“
No Yes No No 2/3 majority
c) postpone to
a definite time



“I move to
postpone
this motion
until…”
No Yes Yes, but only
on the issue of
postponement
Yes, but only
on the issue
of timing
majority
d) refer to
another body 


“I move to
refer this
motion to…”
No Yes Yes, only on
the question
of referral 




Yes, as to
any
provision of
the
proposed
referral
majority
e) amend
(first degree)
“I move to
amend this
motion” (by
adding,
eliminating,
substituting)
No Yes Yes, limited to
the proposed
amendment 


Yes (second
degree
amendment)
must be
disposed of
first
majority
f) postpone
indefinitely
(final
disposition and
equivalent to a
negative vote)
“I move to
postpone
this motion
indefinitely.”
No Yes Yes No majority

1 ARTICLES AND BYLAWS of THE WORLD MEDICAL ASSOCIATION, INC.,( Doc. 32.2/Oct2018), CHAPTER IV – GENERAL ASSEMBLY, Section
6. Voting in the General Assembly item C
2 ARTICLES AND BYLAWS of THE WORLD MEDICAL ASSOCIATION, INC.,( Doc. 32.2/Oct2018), CHAPTER IV – GENERAL ASSEMBLY, Section
6. Voting in the General Assembly item D
These tables are for orientation only. They do neither substitute nor replace the text of any WMA statutory document.
Incidental motions
To do this You say this May you
interrupt
the
discussion?
Must you
be
seconded
?
Is the
motion
debatable
?
Is the
motion
amendable
?
What vote
is
required?
to vote by
secret ballot 3


“I move to vote by
secret ballot on this
motion”
(No) (No) (No) (No) majority
reconsider a
matter already
voted upon
(same session)
“I move to
reconsider item
[name precisely]”
Yes Yes Yes No majority
divide the
question and
vote on each
part separately
*see privileges
of the chair
“I move to divide the
question and vote
on each part
separately. “
No No No No Immediate
decision
by the
chair – no
vote
request
information
“Point of
information!”
Yes No No No To be
answered
by chair.
No vote
suspect
mistake, error
or omission
“Point of order!” Yes No No No To be
ruled by
chair.
ruling by the
Chair is in
error 


“I appeal the ruling
by the chair.”(must
be done
immediately after
the ruling by the
chair)
Yes Yes Yes (No) majority
withdraw the
motion 

*see privileges
of the chair
“I request
permission to
withdraw my
motion. [please
name]”
Yes Yes, if
with-
drawl is
not
granted
by chair
(No) (No) majority
recess the
meeting
“I move to recess
the meeting until
[give exact time or
duration]”
Yes Yes No Yes, but
only
concerning
the timing
majority
adjourn the
meeting 

“I move to adjourn
the meeting”
Yes Yes No No majority

Privileges
of
the chair:
• When a main substantive motion has two or more independent parts, the Chair may rule that each
part be voted on separately.4 

• If there is no objection to withdrawing the motion, the Chair may grant the request5

• If a vote is equally divided on matters other than elections, and the Chair has not voted, he/she shall
have the right to cast the deciding vote to break the tie.6
Majority
rule:
The majority is calculated from votes cast by those present and voting. Members who abstain from voting are
considered not voting. 7

Special rules including timelines apply for the amendment of Articles and Bylaws, the Rule of Procedures and the
Operating Policies of the Association.
3
ARTICLES AND BYLAWS of THE WORLD MEDICAL ASSOCIATION, INC.,( Doc. 32.2/Oct2018), CHAPTER V – COUNCIL, Section 6. Voting in the General
Assembly item E.
4,5 RULE OF PROCEDURE for
ALL DELIBERATIVE BODIES
of
THE WORLD MEDICAL ASSOCIATION, INC. (Doc. 32.70)
Rules 10 and 14
6, 7 ARTICLES AND BYLAWS of THE WORLD MEDICAL ASSOCIATION, INC.,( Doc. 32.2/Oct2018), CHAPTER V – COUNCIL, Section 7. Voting in the Council.