*RULES OF PROCEDURE,
AIPPM*
Birth of the Concept:
The All India Political Parties Meet is a non-technical yet powerful committee introduced in
order to emulate political realities by bringing to light various layers of polity and governance in
India. It helps participants grasp the multi-layered processes that go behind policy-making and
governance in India, providing them with a hands-on approach to the impediments and
challenges that confront political parties in modern times.
The agenda for this meeting is Analysing Decriminalization of Homosexuality and Same-Sex
Marriage Legislation
The Agendas of the AIPPM:
There are two key agendas that would be discussed in this simulation of the AIPPM. They are as
follows:
1. Analysing Decriminalization of Homosexuality
2. Same-Sex Marriage Legislation
It is important to note here that participants be thoroughly updated about the history of the
agendas being discussed and recent development surrounding the same. Participants are also
advised to be well-versed with their political affiliations and its approach towards these agendas.
Participants will be duly updated in case of any developments outside committee and shall be
expected to respond to such dynamic circumstances while keeping their political interests in
mind. Therefore keeping oneself updated with the latest changes in the dynamic field of Indian
Politics is a must. The chairs while serving as moderators will hold no political affiliations
during the course of the committee.
1).SEATING OF THE PARLIAMENTARY MEMBERS: The lay-out of the
Chamber of the Committee should resemble as far as possible the lay-out of the Chamber of Lok
Sabha. Ruling party to sit on the right side of the chair. Opposition and other alliances to sit on
the left side of the chair. Both sides are more or less equal in number.
2. LANGUAGE: AIPPM is a bilingual committee. Both Hindi and English are allowed. Only
one language should be used in one speech and while debating. However, all documentation will
be only in English.
3. USAGE OF ELECTRONIC DEVICES: As a matter of policy, and to encourage
creative thinking; usage of any and every electronic devices shall be strictly prohibited in the
committee, except during the Private Session. Internet can on
4. PROCEDURE:
a) Roll Call
b) Opening Statements
c) Establishing the Sessions
d) Press Release
e) Press Conference
A) OPENING STATEMENTS :
● The leader of the house is the default first speaker and the leader of opposition is the
default last speaker.
● However they may pass on their chance to speak to whoever they wish to. The maximum
time allowed to make statements is 90 seconds.
● Committee members are expected to list out their current Line of Policy and that of their
political party, towards the Agenda at hand.
● The member, granted the right to deliver the Introductory Statement, may YIELD after
his/her speech in one of the three ways:
a) Yield to COMMENTS- Such a yield can be used to invite comments from other
fellow members, on the Line of Policy, presented by the speaking member.
b) Yield to QUESTIONS- The Executive Board, who has the right to call to order
any member whose question is rhetorical and/or not designated to elicit
information, may select questioners. Follow-up will be allowed only at the
discretion of the Executive Board.
c) Yield to the CHAIR- Such a yield should be made if the Committee member does
not wish to yield to questions/comments by other members. The Chair will then
invite the next speaker, for delivering the Opening Statement.
d) Yield to ANOTHER DELEGATE- Such a yield is made when a delegate has
surplus amount of time and wants to yield it to another delegate. Both the receiver
and the giver should be consenting for this.
● Members must declare any yield by the conclusion of his or her speech. If the time runs
out, the Chair will simply move to the next speaker.
B) ESTABLISHING THE SESSIONS
● These sessions can be established by proposing a motion to establish a particular session,
which will be followed by a vote. The motion should be able to secure a simple majority.
1. PUBLIC SESSION: (Moderated Caucus)
In order to discuss various sections of the agenda, a separate time frame is allotted
for the members to put their views on the floor of the house. A public session can be
of 15-30 minutes but the individual speaker’s time will remain 60 seconds (or more,
according to the chairs discretion). Everything in a public session is in public domain
and is in the presence of the media (optional). When the committee is in public
session, every word that is spoken shall be enshrined in public record and hence
might be subjected to public critique. Media and outside observers will be present
during public sessions.
2. PRIVATE SESSION: (Unmoderated Caucus)
A Representative may move for a Private Session thereby suggesting a change from
formal to informal debate. The Representative who makes this motion must suggest a
length and justification for the Unmoderated Session. The Executive Board may
suggest a more appropriate session length and put it to vote, or may rule the
Unmoderated Session out of order without possibility of appeal. Once the Motion has
passed, the Committee will depart from the formal discussion and will carry an
informal discussion without leaving the conference room.
C) POINTS:
1. Point of Personal Privilege: A Representative may rise to a Point of Personal Privilege
if a matter impairs him/her from participating fully in council activities. The Executive Board
persons shall try to effectively address the source of impairment. A Point of Personal Privilege
may only interrupt a speaker if the Representative speaking is inaudible. Otherwise, the
Representative rising on the Point of Personal Privilege must wait till the end of the speech to
raise the Point.
2. Point of Order: A Representative may raise a Point of Order if he/she believes that the
rules are being violated. The Executive Board will then immediately rule on the Point of Order.
This point can interrupt a speaker.
3. Point of Parliamentary Inquiry: A Representative may rise to a Point of
Parliamentary Inquiry requesting an explanation from the Executive Board on the Rules of
Procedure. This point may not interrupt a Speaker.
4. Point of Information: This is a point which helps to clarify any factual inaccuracy in a
representatives’ speech. This point can be raised after the completion of any representatives’
speech if one finds that the other representative may have misstated a particular fact. This point
cannot interrupt a speaker.
5. Right of Reply: A Representative whose personal integrity has been impugned by another
Delegate’s comments may rise to a Right of Reply. Disagreement with the content of a
Delegate's speech is not grounds for a Right of Reply. The Executive Board will recognize the
Right of Reply at his/her discretion as well as decide on how to resolve the motion. This point
may not interrupt a speaker but should be addressed the moment he/she has finished his/her
speech. Should the Executive Board rule the Right of Reply out of order, his/her decision cannot
be appealed.
D) PRESS RELEASE:
A press release is an official statement issued to the media giving information on whatever
outcomes the specific party/ alliance has discussed in the committee within the span of 2 days. A
press release is important because it contains all the important information needed to convey
what happened.
1) Main Components of a Solid Press Release (FORMAT)
• Header stating that it is a Press Release
• Descriptive Headline
• Information that you want the public to have and react to
• Signature/s
2) Goals
• To inform/ misinform the public about the crisis to get the public to react in a certain way
• To share information with the committee that was previously a secret
• To encourage a response from the international community