Parliamentary Standing Orders - 5th Edition

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Standing Orders for the Azalean Parliament - Version 5​

1) Quorum
a) More than 50% of all Parliamentary seats should be filled for Parliament to function.
i) Any suspended members are counted as a filled seat, even though they are unable to perform their role as an MP.
ii) Any empty seats due to resignations or criminal expulsions will not be counted toward the total number of seats, unless a byelection has been officially announced.
b) Members wishing to take a leave of absence can make an official request to the speaker
i) A specific period must be agreed with the speaker, breaching this timeline will result in being listed as "Failing to vote" in all missed votes.
ii) Members on leave can appoint a proxy voter. Votes will be counted alongside the proxy voter’s own vote.

2) Enforcement of Parliamentary Rules
a) Failure to abide by Parliamentary rules can result in Suspension from the House at the speaker’s discretion.
i) Suspensions must be no longer than 24 hours per infraction.
ii) Suspensions must be announced within 24 hours of an infraction.
iii) Members will have their vote discounted if they are suspended at any point during the period that a vote is open.
iv) Suspended Members may not participate in votes which overlap their suspension by any amount of time.
v) Suspended Members may not take part in debates during their suspension period.

b) If MPs believe the Speaker has behaved in a non-impartial manner through any suspension, the House can hold a vote of no-confidence in the Speaker
i) This vote can be called either by any member who can produce two other members to support calling it.
ii) Suspended Members are allowed to participate in votes of no-confidence against the Speaker.

3) Voting Procedures
a) Votes shall be conducted by an electronic tally with the options: Aye, Nay, or Abstain
b) Any ballot must remain open for 48 hours to ensure members have ample chance to submit their vote despite personal circumstances.
i) Bills may be put forward for royal assent as soon as 100% of votes are submitted, even if the 48 hours has not elapsed.

4) Motions and Resolutions
a) Any Member may propose a motion or resolution by submitting it in writing to the Speaker.
b) Motions will take effect as soon as a majority has been reached and do not require all members to submit a vote.
i) Motions will not be recorded and any failure to vote cannot be used as justification for punishment or admonishment by any member of the house.