What are the salient duties and powers of the Chairman of a general meeting of a company? Illustrate your answer with reference to decided cases
ANSWER
Duties
• Satisfy himself that the meeting is duly constituted.
• Inform himself the business of the meeting.
• Satisfy himself that a quorum of members is present.
• Call the meeting to order.
• Frame issues for debate or discussion.
• Make decisions on points of order.
• Ensure that the sense of the meeting is kept and/ maintained putting relevant questions.
• Maintain order in the conduct of those present at the meeting.
• Ensure that minutes of the meeting are taken.
• Conduct voting and declare results.
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• To adjourn the meeting at any time with consent of the members.
• To stop discussion of any matter after reasonable debate.
• To demand voting poll.
• Close the meeting after its business is accomplished or in the event of disorder.
• Determine who to speak and for how long.
• To declare results of any voting.
• To cast a vote or a second vote in the event of a tie.