TABLE OF CONTENTS

A. BACKGROUND

B. RULES OF PROCEDURE
1. Agenda (Regular Sessions)
2. GIMUN Executive Committee
3. Languages
4. Records
5. Committee Officers and Organization of Work
6. Public and Private Meetings of the committee and its Subcommittees
7. Minute of Silent Prayer or Meditation
8. Committees Meetings Conduct of Business
9. Rules Governing Debate
10. Rules Governing Speeches
11. Voting
12. Amendments to the Rules of Procedure

CONTACTS
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Adentan-Accra
BACKGROUND
Model United Nations conferences have lengthy agenda and as delegates represent the various United Nations member states and pursue
their interest. It is very essential to maintain order and discipline in determining who speaks, the capacity in which one speaks, what to
speak on at a point in time, and how long one could speak. Therefore, Rules of Procedure are used by most Model United Nations
conferences. The GIMUN Team acknowledges the importance of the Rules of Procedure considering the diverse background of the
participants, the desire to maintain order and discipline, the need for mutual respect and the international dynamics of the conference.
Rules of Procedure for Ghana International Model United Nations conference (GIMUN) have been outlined in this document. This
document explains the parliamentary procedure at GIMUN. Familiarization with the rules of Procedure is the basic step to having a
memorable Model United Nations experience. One of the quickest ways for delegates to feel alienated during the conference is being
tagged as a delegate who makes ill-timed and inappropriate motions.
The comprehensive Rules of Procedure have close resemblance with those used at the United Nations headquarters in New York but
slightly differ from that of other Model United Nations conferences. Therefore, it is important for delegates to study these adopted Rules
of Procedure thoroughly. It is worth noting that, any modification made in this document will not in any way derail your MUN experience
but will rather enhance and make it better.
All delegates are expected to abide by this document since its purpose is to facilitate and ensure the success of the conference. For
delegates who have no or relatively little Model United Nations experience, reading it for the first time may seem confusing. However,
you are encouraged to keep reading and be assured, with time, you would adapt. There would also be avenues for interpretation before
and during the conference.
If you encounter any difficulty with respect to this document, kindly contact the GIMUN Team and your concerns will be addressed
swiftly.
We wish you a fruitful conference.
1. AGENDA

(REGULAR SESSIONS)
PROVISIONAL AGENDA
RULE 1
The provisional agenda for the Ghana International Model United Nations(GIMUN) conference shall be drawn up by the GIMUN
Secretary-General and communicated to all delegations, at least two months before the opening of the conference.
RULE 2
The provisional agenda of the conference shall include:
(a)Reports on the theme selected for each conference and
b) All items which the GIMUN Secretary-General deems it necessary to put before the FIMUN simulated committees.

ADOPTION OF THE AGENDA

RULE 3
At each conference, the provisional agenda shall be approved during the first committee session.

ARBITRATION
RULE 4
Interpretation of the rules shall be reserved exclusively to the Secretary-General or designated members of the Secretariat such
interpretation shall be in accordance with the philosophy and principles of Ghana International Model United Nations.
2. GIMUN

EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE
COMPOSITION
RULE 5
The GIMUN Executive Committee shall comprise the Executive Chairman of Prep and Pave LBG who shall chair, the Deputy Executive
Chairpersons of Prep and Pave LBG, the Secretary-General of GIMUN and the Chairpersons of the simulated committees.

THE CHAIRMAN SHALL NOT VOTE

RULE 6
The Chairman or a Vice-Chairman acting as a chairman, shall not vote but shall designate another member to vote in his place.

SUBSTITUTE MEMBERS
RULE 7
The chairperson of a simulated committee shall, in case of absence, designate the Vice-Chairman of the committee to take his or her
place.
RULE 8
The GIMUN Executive Committee shall, prior to the conference, consider the provisional agenda and make recommendations to the
simulated committees with respect to each item proposed.
RULE 9
Representatives of accredited observers shall have the same rights as those of full members, except that they may not sign or vote on
resolutions. A representative of an organization that is not a member of the GIMUN or an accredited observer may address a committee
only with the prior approval of the Chairperson of the committee.
3. LANGUAGE
OFFICIAL & WORKING LANGUAGE
RULE 10
English will be the official and working language of the |GIMUN.

INTERPRETATION
RULE 11
Any representative wishing to address the GIMUN or submit a document in a language other than English shall provide translation into
English.
This rule does not affect total submission time allotted to those representatives invited to address the body in a language either than English. As
such, both the speech and the translation must be within the allotted time limit.

LANGUAGE OF THE JOURNAL OF THE GIMUN

RULE 12
During the committee sessions, the journal of the Ghana International Model United Nations shall be published in the working language.

LANGUAGE OF RESOLUTIONS AND OTHER DOCUMENTS

RULE 13
All resolutions and other documents shall be published in the working language.
4. RECORDS
RECORDS OF MEETINGS
RULE 14
Resolutions adopted by the simulated committees shall be communicated by the Secretary-General to the delegations representing
Member States within fifteen days after the close of the conference.

5. SIMULATED COMMITTEES OFFICERS & ORGANIZATION OF WORK

CATEGORIES OF SUBJECTS
RULE 15
Items relating to the same category of subjects shall be referred to the committee or committees dealing with that category of subjects.
Committees shall not introduce new items on their own initiative.

REPRESENTATION OF MEMBERS
RULE 16
Each member may be represented by one person in each committee at a time. However, a delegation of each member could be up to
five people.

THE CHAIRPERSON OF A COMMITTEE SHALL NOT VOTE

RULE 17
The chairperson of a committee shall not vote, but another member of his or her delegation may not vote in his or her place.
ABSENCE OF OFFICERS
RULE 18
If the chairperson finds it necessary to be absent during a meeting or any part thereof, he or she shall designate the Vice-Chairperson to
take his place. A Vice-Chairperson acting as Chairperson shall have the same powers and duties as the Chairperson. If any officer of the
committee is unable to perform his or her functions, a new officer shall be elected for the term of the conference.
6. PUBLIC AND PRIVATE MEETINGS OF THE COMMITTEES AND ITS
SUBCOMMITTEES
GENERAL PRINCIPLES
RULE 19
The meetings of the committees shall be held in public unless the organ concerned decides that exceptional circumstances require that
the meeting be held in private.

PRIVATE MEETINGS
RULE 20
At the close of each private meetings of the committees, the Chairperson may issue a communique through the Secretary-General.

7. MINUTES OF SILENCE, PRAYER & MEDITATION

INVITATION TO THE SILENT PRAYER OR MEDITATION
RULE 21
Immediately after the opening and immediately preceding the closing of the session, the Chairperson shall invite the representatives to
observe one minute of silence dedicated to prayer or meditation.

8. COMMITTEES MEETINGS CONDUCT OF BUSINESS

QUORUM
RULE 22
The chairperson may declare a meeting open and permit the debate to proceed when at least one-third of the members of the committee
are present. The presence of a majority of the members shall be required for any decision to be taken. The members of the committee
are defined in terms of the number of delegates that are participating in the conference which may at times be less than the full
membership of the United Nations. In those instances, the required number for a quorum and a majority would be determined by the
number of participating delegations.

STATEMENTS BY THE SECRETARIAT

RULE 23
The Secretary-General, or a member of the Secretariat designated by her as her representative, may at any time make either oral or
written statements to a committee concerning any question under consideration by it.

9. RULES GOVERNING DEBATE

DEBATE
RULE 24
After the agenda has been determined, one continuously open speakers' list will be established for the purpose of general debate. This
speakers' list will be followed for all debate on the Agenda Item, except when superseded by procedural motions or a debate on
amendments. Speakers may speak generally on the Agenda Item being considered and may address any
resolution currently on the floor.

UNMODERATED CAUCUS
RULE 25
A motion to caucus is in order at any time when the floor is open, prior to the closure of the debate. The delegate making the motion
must briefly explain its purpose and specify a time limit for the caucus, not to exceed fifteen minutes. The motion will immediately be
put to a vote. A majority of members present or present and voting is required for passage. The Chairperson may rule the motion out of
order and his or her decision is not subject to appeal.
This rule is used in the committee sessions.
MODERATED CAUCUS
RULE 26
The purpose of the moderated caucus is to facilitate substantive debate at critical junctures in the discussion, In a moderated caucus, the
Chairperson will temporarily depart from the speakers' list and call on delegates to speak at his or her discretion. A motion for a
moderated caucus is in order at any time when the floor is open, prior to closure of debate. The delegate making the motion must briefly
explain its purpose and specify a time limit for the caucus, not to exceed twenty minutes, and a time limit for the individual speeches.
Once raised, the motion will be voted on immediately, with a majority of members present or present and voting required for passage
The Chairperson may rule the motion out of order and his decision is not subject to appeal.

CLOSING OF LIST OF SPEAKERS, RIGHT OF REPLY

RULE 27
During the course of a debate, the Chairperson may announce the list of speakers and, with the consent of the committee declare the list
closed. He or she may, however, accord the right of reply to any member if a speech delivered after he or she has declared the list closed
makes this desirable.

ADJOURNMENT OF DEBATE
RULE 28
During the discussion of any matter, a representative may move the adjournment of the debate on the item under discussion, In addition
to the proposer of the motion, two representatives may speak in favor of, and two, against the motion, after which the motion shall be
immediately put to vote The Chairperson may limit the time to be allowed to speakers under this rule.

CLOSURE OF DEBATE
RULE 29
A representative may at any time move the closure of the debate on the item under discussion, whether or not any other representative
has signaled his or her wish to speak. Permission to speak on the closure of the debate shall be accorded only to two speakers opposing
the closure, after which the motion shall be immediately put to vote. If the committee is in favor of the closure, the Chairperson shall
declare the closure of the debate. The Chairperson may limit the time to be allowed to speakers under this rule

SUSPENSION OR ADJOURNMENT OF MEETING

RULE 30
During the discussion of any matter, a representative may move the suspension or the adjournment of the meeting. Such motions shall
not be debated but shall be immediately put to vote. The Chairperson may limit the time to be allowed to the speaker moving the
suspension or adjournment of the meeting.
Subject to rule 29, the motions indicated below shall have precedence in the following order over all other proposals or motions before
the meeting
(a) To suspend the meeting.
(b) To adjourn the meeting:
(c) To adjourn the debate on the item under discussion.
(d) To close the debate on the item under discussion

PROPOSALS AND AMENDMENTS

RULE 31
Proposals and amendments shall normally be submitted in writing to the Secretary-General, who shall circulate copies to the delegations.
As a general rule, no proposal shall be discussed or put to the vote at any meeting of the committee unless copies of it have been
circulated to all delegations not later than 12 hours before the discussion. The Chairperson may however, permit the discussion and
consideration of amendments or of motions as to procedure, even though such amendments and motions have not been circulated or
have only been circulated the same day.
WITHDRAWAL OF MOTIONS
RULE 32
A motion may be withdrawn by its proposer at any time before voting on it has commenced, provided that the motion has not been
amended. A motion thus withdrawn may be reintroduced by any member.
10. RULES GOVERNING SPEECHES
SPEECHES
RULE 33
No representative may address a committee without having previously obtained the permission of the Chairperson. The Chairperson
shall call upon speakers in the order in which they signify their desire to speak. The Chairperson may call a speaker to order if his or her
remarks are not relevant to the subject under discussion

TIME LIMIT ON SPEECHES

RULE 34
The committees may limit the time to be allowed to each speaker and the number of times each representative may speak on any question.
Before a decision is taken, two representatives may speak in favor of, and two against. a proposal to set such limits. When the debate is
limited and a representative exceeds his allotted time, the President shall call him or her to order without delay.

YIELDS
RULE 35
A delegate granted the right to speak on a substantive issue may yield in one of the two ways:
YIELD TO QUESTIONS: Questioners will be selected by the committee Chairperson and limited to one question each. The committee
Chairperson will have the right to call to order any delegate whose question is in the opinion of the Chairperson, rhetorical and leading
and/or not designed to elicit information.
Only the speaker's answers to questions will be deducted from the speaker's remaining time.
YIELD TO THE CHAIR: Such a yield should be made if the delegate does not wish to yield to questions.
The Chairperson will then move to the next speaker. Delegates must declare any yield by the conclusion of his or her speech. If time
runs out. the Chairperson will simply move on to the next speaker.
POINTS
RULE 36
For the purpose of enhancing order during committee sessions. points in debate are adopted for the committee sessions of the Ghana
International Model United Nations.
POINT OF ORDER
RULE 37
During the discussion of any matter, a representative may rise to a point of order, and the point of order shall be immediately decided
by the Chairperson in accordance with the rules of procedure. A representative may appeal against the ruling of the Chairperson. The
appeal shall be immediately put to the vote, and the Chairperson's ruling shall stand unless overruled by a majority of the members
present and voting. A representative rising to a point of order may not speak on the
substance of the matter under discussion,

POINT OF CORRECTION
RULE 38
During discussion on a committee, a delegate may rise to a point of correction to correct a statement made by the last speaker or other
delegates in the committee.

POINT OF INFORMATION
RULE 39
After a delegate has given a speech, a point of information may be raised to seek or supply further information. Delegates will be allotted
speaking time to address points of information. Points of Information could also be directed to other delegates in
relation to earlier statements on the issue under discussion.
11. VOTING
VOTING RIGHTS
RULE 40
Each member of a committee shall have one vote

TWO-THIRDS MAJORITY
RULE 41
Decisions of a committee on important questions shall be made by a two-thirds majority of the members present and
voting. These questions shall include: recommendations with
respect to the maintenance of international peace and security. the suspension of the rights and privileges of membership, the expulsion
of Members, and budgetary questions
RULE 42
Decisions of a committee on the amendments to proposals relating to important questions, and on parts of such proposals put to the vote
separately, shall be made by a two-thirds
majority of the members present and voting.

SIMPLE MAJORITY
RULE 43
Decisions of a committee on questions other than those those provided for in rule 36 including the determination of additional categories
of questions to be decided by a two-thirds majority, shall be made by a majority of the members present and voting.
MEANING OF THE PHRASE "MEMBERS PRESENT AND VOTING"
RULE 44
For the purposes of these rules, the phrase "members present and voting" means members casting an affirmative or negative vote.
Members which abstain from voting are considered as not voting.

SIMPLE MAJORITY
RULE 45
A committee shall normally vote by show of placards, but any representative may request a roll-call. The roll-call shall be taken in the
English alphabetical order of the names of the members, beginning with the member whose name is drawn by lot by the Chairperson
The name of each member shall be called and one of its representatives shall reply "yes" " "no" or "abstention"
The result of the voting shall be inserted in the record in the English alphabetical order of the names of the members.

CONDUCT DURING VOTING

RULE 46
After the Chairperson has announced the beginning of voting, no representative shall interrupt the voting except on a point of order in
connection with the actual conduct of the voting. The Chairperson may permit members to explain their votes, either before or after the
voting. except when the vote is taken by secret ballot. The Chairperson may limit the time to be allowed for such explanations. The
Chairperson shall not permit the proposer of a proposal or of an amendment to explain his or her vote on his own proposal or amendment.

DIVISION OF PROPOSALS AND AMENDMENTS

RULE 47
A representative may move that parts of a proposal or of an amendment should be voted on separately. If objection is made to the request
for division, the motion for division shall be voted upon. Permission to speak on the motion for division shall be given to only two
speakers in favor and two speakers against. If the motion for division is carried, those parts of the proposal or of the amendment which
are approved shall then be put to the vote as a whole. If all operative parts of the proposal or of the amendment have been rejected, the
proposal or the amendment shall be considered to have been rejected as a whole.
VOTING ON AMENDMENTS
RULE 48
When an amendment is moved to a proposal, the amendment shall be voted on first. When two or more amendments are moved to a
proposal, a committee shall first vote on the amendment furthest removed in substance from the original proposal and then on the
amendment next furthest removed from, and so on until all the amendments have been put to the vote. Where, however, the adoption of
one amendment necessarily implies the rejection of another amendment, the latter amendment shall not be put to the vote It one or more
amendments are adopted, the amended proposal shall then be voted upon. A motion is considered an amendment to a proposal if it
merely adds to deletes from or revises part of the proposal. All amendments shall be submitted to the Chairperson in writing before
being announced on the floor.

VOTING ON PROPOSALS
RULE 49
If two or more proposals relate to the same question, the shall, unless it decides otherwise, vote on the proposals in the order in which
they have been submitted. A committee may after each vote on a proposal, decide whether to vote on the next proposal. All proposals
shall be submitted to the Chairperson in writing before being announced on the floor.

EQUALLY DIVIDED VOTES

RULE 50
If a vote is equally divided on matters other than elections, the Chairperson shall decide if a second vote shall be taken and at what time.
If a second vote is not taken or a second vote is taken and this vote also results in equality, the proposal shall be regarded as rejected

12. AMENDMENTS TO THE RULES OF PROCEDURE

METHOD OF AMENDMENT
RULE 51
These rules of procedure may be amended by a decision or the GIMUN Executive Committee.