No-confidence motion
Date: 13 April 2022 Tags: MiscellaneousIssue
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.