Who decides Point of Order?

• A. The Secretary.
• B. The chair.
• C. The Parliamentarian.
• D. The Vice-Chair.

Answer: (B)

In parliamentary procedure, a point of order is a challenge about whether a rule is being followed. The person who decides is the chair—the presiding officer—who makes the ruling on the point of order and announces how the rules apply in that moment.

The chair’s ruling can be questioned: an appeal can be raised, and then the assembly votes to sustain or overturn the ruling. If there’s no appeal, the chair’s decision stands. The secretary’s job is to record what happens, not to decide. The Parliamentarian can advise on the correct procedure and how rules should be interpreted, but they don’t make the binding ruling in most assemblies. The Vice-Chair would preside only if the chair is unavailable.