Voting by poll vote

This information is for schemes registered under the:

• Standard Module
• Accommodation Module
• Commercial Module
• Small Schemes Module.

Schemes registered under the Specified Two-lot Schemes Module do not have general meetings.

When a poll vote can be used

A poll vote can only be used on a motion that can be decided by ordinary resolution.  A poll vote cannot be used on a motion that is a secret ballot.

When voting on a motion to be decided by ordinary resolution each lot has 1 vote.

A poll is a different way of counting votes for the motion. It takes into account the contribution schedule lot entitlements for the scheme.

Asking for a poll

Any person entitled to vote at a general meeting can ask for votes (on a motion to be decided by ordinary resolution) to be counted by a poll.

The person must ask for the poll:

• in person, at the meeting
  or
• on the voting paper, whether or not present at the meeting.

The request for the poll:

• can be made whether or not the meeting has already voted on the motion
• can be withdrawn by the person who asked for it at any time before the poll is finished.

The request for a poll must be made:

• before the meeting decides the next motion (if it is not the last motion)
  or
• before the meeting ends (if it is the last motion).

Counting votes if a poll is asked for

Instead of counting each vote for and against a motion, a poll counts the contribution schedule lot entitlements of the lots voting for and against a motion.

The motion is passed only if the total ‘contribution schedule lot entitlements’ of the lots that vote for the motion are more than the total contribution schedule lot entitlements of the lots that vote against the motion.

For example, a scheme has 8 lots and all lot owners are entitled to vote on a motion that can be decided by ordinary resolution.

Three owners vote for the motion (“yes” votes) and 5 owners vote against the motion (“no” votes). The motion is lost, because there are more votes against the motion than in favour of the motion.

However, an owner immediately asks for a poll vote. The votes must now be re-counted taking into account the contribution schedule of lot entitlements for the scheme.

The owners of 3 lots voted in favour of the motion. These owners have different lot entitlements.

• Lot 1 has 1 lot entitlement.
• Lot 2 has 3 lot entitlements.
• Lot 3 has 4 lot entitlements.

The tally of the votes for the motion is 8.

The owners of the other 5 lots voted against the motion. These owners all have 1 lot entitlement each.

The tally of the votes against the motion is 5.

Under a poll vote the motion is passed— 8 in favour and 5 against.