Simple Majority
Simple majority or working majority refers to majority of more than 50% of the members present and voting. Example:
- Total strength of Lok Sabha: 545
- Vacant Seats: 5
- Members present: 500
- Members present, but decide to abstain / not to vote: 50
- Members present and voting: 500-50=450
- Simple Majority in this case would be: 226
Most of the normal motions and bills in the house such as No-confidence Motion, Motion of Confidence, Motion of Thanks, Censure Motion, Adjournment Motion, Money Bills, Ordinary Bills etc.
Absolute Majority
Absolute majority refers to the majority of more than 50% of the total strength of the house. Example:
- Total strength of Lok Sabha: 545
- Absolute Majority: 273
Such kind of majority is not required in isolation in the Indian Parliament. There are instances when such majority is needed with other majority which would be thus called special majority.
Effective Majority
Effective Majority of house means more than 50% of the effective strength of the house. This implies that out of the total strength, we deduct the absent and vacant seats.
- Total strength of Lok Sabha: 545
- Vacant Seats: 5
- Effective Strength: 545-5=540
- Members present, but decide to abstain / not to vote: 50
- Members present and voting: 540-50=490
- Effective Majority: 490/2+1=245
In constitution of India, the “all the then members” present indicates an effective majority. In Constitution, effective majorities are needed for removal of Vice-President, Deputy Chairman of Rajya Sabha, Lok Sabha speaker and Deputy Speaker.
Special Majority
Any Majority other than simple, absolute and effective majority is called special majority. These include
- Majority by two-third strength of the house {example impeachment of president under article 61}
- Majority by two-third of present and voting members {Example: Power of Parliament to legislate with respect to a matter in the State List in the national interest, under article 249}; Certain constitution amendment bills etc.
- Absolute majority + majority of two-third present and voting {Example: Removal of Supreme Court Judge, CAG etc.}
Examples of Majorities in Constitution
Impeachment of President: Special Majority
According to Article 61, When a President is to be impeached for violation of the Constitution; the charge shall be preferred by either House of Parliament. A 14 days notice to move a resolution is given. Then, the resolution has to be passed by a majority of not less than two-thirds of the total membership of the House. This is an example of Special Majority.
Removal of the Vice-President: Effective Majority
Vice-President may be removed from his office by a resolution of Rajya Sabha passed by a majority of all the then members of the Rajya Sabha and agreed to Lok Sabha. This is an example of effective majority in Rajya Sabha.
Removal of Deputy chairman Rajya Sabha: Effective Majority
A member holding office as Deputy Chairman of Rajya Sabha may be removed from his office by a resolution of the Council passed by a majority of all the then members of the Council. (Simple Majority in Rajya Sabha)
Removal of Speaker and Lok Sabha Speaker: Effective Majority
Member holding office as Speaker or Deputy Speaker of the House of the People—(c)may be removed from his office by a resolution of the House of the People passed by a majority of all the then members of the House:
Removal of Supreme Court Judge: Absolute + Special Majority
A Judge of the Supreme Court shall not be removed from his office except by an order of the President passed after an address by each House of Parliament supported by a majority of the total membership of that House (Absolute Majority) and by a majority of not less than two-thirds of the members of that House present and voting (Special Majority) voting has been presented to the President in the same session for such removal on the ground of proved misbehaviour or incapacity. (article 124)
Abolition of Council of States: Absolute + Special Majority
Parliament may by law provide for the abolition of the Legislative Council of a State having such a Council or for the creation of such a Council in a State having no such Council, if the Legislative Assembly of the State passes a resolution to that effect by a majority of the total membership of the Assembly (Absolute Majority) and by a majority of not less than two-thirds of the members of the Assembly present and voting. (Special Majority) Article 169. (1)
Removal of Speaker or Deputy Speaker of Assembly: (Effective Majority)
Speaker or Deputy Speaker of Assembly may be removed from his office by a resolution of the Assembly passed by a majority of all the then members of the Assembly (Effective Majority). Article 179 (C)
Removal of Chairman or Deputy Chairman of a Legislative Council: (Effective Majority)
Chairman or Deputy Chairman of a Legislative Council may be removed from his office by a resolution of the Council passed by a majority of all the then members of the Council. (Simple Majority) Article 183 (C)
Emergency Proclamation (Absolute + Special Majority)
According to article 352 (4) an emergency proclamation is laid before each House of Parliament and shall cease to operate at the expiration of one month unless before the expiration of that period it has been approved by resolutions of both Houses of Parliament. Once approved it shall cease to be in force if again not approved within six months. For both of these purposes, the resolution should be passed by either House of Parliament only by a majority of the total membership of that House (Absolute Majority) and by a majority of not less than two-thirds of the Members of that House present and voting.(Special Majority)
Amendment of the Constitution via article 368 : (Absolute + Special Majority)
According to Article 368(2), amendment to Constitution may be initiated only by the introduction of a Bill for the purpose in either House of Parliament, and when the Bill is passed in each House by a majority of the total membership of that House (Absolute Majority) and by a majority of not less than two-thirds of the members of that House present and voting, (special Majority).
Further, if the amendment of the constitution also requires the assent of the state assemblies, they can pass the constitutional Amendment Bill with simple majority
