What is a floor test?
- Floor test can be explained as a motion initiated by the government in position seeking to know if it enjoys the confidence of the legislature. As part of this procedure, the chief/prime minister appointed by the governor/president will be asked to prove majority on the Legislative assembly/ Lok Sabha’s floor.
- The chief/ prime minister has to move a vote of confidence and win a majority among those present and voting. If the floor test fails, the chief/ prime minister will have to resign. The voting process can happen orally, with electronic gadgets or a ballot process.
- Confidence motion is not mentioned in the Constitution. But Article 75 spells it out that “the council of ministers shall be collectively responsible to the House of the People”. This implies that the majority of Lok Sabha members must support the prime minister and his cabinet.
