Current Affairs

Issue

Pakistan’s Prime Minister Imran Khan was recently removed from his office through a no-confidence motion.

Background

A no-confidence motion is usually needed to remove a serving Prime Minister from office in Parliamentary democracies.

Details

• A no-confidence motion can only be introduced in the lower house of the Parliament. The motion has to be approved by the speaker.

• The council of ministers is responsible for the lower house of Parliament, the Lok Sabha, in India. To stay in office, they have to enjoy confidence of the house.

Approval

• If a no-confidence motion is accepted, the ruling party has to prove its majority in the house. No reason is needed to introduce the motion.

• Any member of the house can move the motion. A minimum of 50 members have to endorse the motion for its acceptance. The speaker has the right to accept/deny the motion.

Voting methods

• Voice vote: The legislators respond orally.

• Division vote: Voting is done using electronic gadgets, slips or in a ballot box.

• Ballot vote: A secret voting will be carried out.

Constitutional provision

The Constitution of India does not mention about either a Confidence or a No Confidence Motion. It just mentions that council of ministers is collectively responsible for Lok Sabha.

Implications

Failure of the government to prove its majority in the lower house results in losing of trust vote and they will have to resign.

Issue

Puducherry Chief Minister V. Narayanasamy has resigned after his government lost the no-confidence motion in the state assembly.

Background

The government lost its numbers owing to a spate of resignations by MLAs of ruling party, necessitating a motion.

Details

• No confidence motion is a statement or vote about whether a person in a position of responsibility (government, managerial, etc.) is no longer deemed fit to hold that position.

• As a parliamentary motion, it demonstrates to the head of state that the elected parliament no longer has confidence in the appointed government.

•  In some countries, if a no confidence motion is passed against an individual minister they have to resign along with the entire council of ministers.

• A no-confidence motion may be more directed against the entire council of ministers led by the chief minister.

• A no confidence motions may not require reasons to be specified. It may be initiated if the opposition feels that government does not have the numbers.

Process

• A motion of no confidence can be introduced only in the lower house of the assembly or parliament. The motion is admitted for discussion when a minimum of 50 members of the house support the motion.

• The allotted date has to be within 10 days from the day the motion is accepted. Otherwise, the motion fails and the member who moved the motion will be informed about it.

• If the motion carries, the House debates and votes on the motion. If a majority of the members of the house vote in favour of the motion, the motion is passed and the Government is bound to vacate the office.

• With the Anti-defection law, the vote of no confidence has no relevance when the majority party has an absolute majority in the House. 

Censure motion

• A "no confidence" may lead to dismissal of the Council of Ministers or other position-holders, whereas "censure" is meant to show disapproval and does not result in the resignation of ministers.

• To initiate a censure motion, reason has to be stated. This is not required against no-confidence motion.

• A censure motion can be passed against any minister and not the whole council of ministers.