When is it acceptable to elect a candidate without them receiving a majority vote?

A candidate may be elected without receiving a majority vote under specific circumstances that are defined by the governing rules or practices of an assembly.

When a plurality vote is acknowledged as acceptable, it allows for a candidate to be elected even if they do not secure more than half of the votes, as long as they receive more votes than any other candidate. This is particularly common in cases where there are multiple candidates and is often utilized to ensure a swift election process.

If the president or presiding officer of the meeting states that a majority vote is not necessary for that particular election, then the assembly may follow that directive. It’s important to note that the authority of the presiding officer can sometimes introduce flexibility in the voting process.

Additionally, if the local assembly's rules explicitly permit elections by means other than a majority vote, such as a plurality, then that framework sets the precedent for the election outcomes.

Each of these conditions emphasizes that the election procedures can vary depending on the established protocols of the assembly, thus making it possible for a candidate to be elected without receiving a majority of the votes when any of these allowances are in effect.