Final answer:
As chairman, if a member calls for a division after a unanimous vote, you would need to confirm the vote's unanimity with the assembly. If there is still a request for division, verify the rules of the assembly to determine the appropriate action. This might include moving forward with the division or denying the request if the rules permit such action for obviously unanimous decisions.
Step-by-step explanation:
If you assume you are the chairman at a meeting and a member calls for a division of the assembly when it is clear that the assembly voted unanimously for a main motion, as a chairperson, you would need to address the request. The purpose of a division is to ensure that the vote is counted accurately and that each member’s vote is officially recorded, rather than simply using a voice vote or a show of hands. However, if the vote was unanimously in favor, a division may appear unnecessary and can potentially be seen as a formality rather than a requirement. Your action, therefore, may include clarifying the unanimous result to the assembly to confirm that everyone is in agreement. If after this clarification there is still a demand for division, the procedure would be to move forward with the division to ensure transparency and to uphold the democratic process.
However, the chair might consult the rules of the assembly or parliamentary authority being used (such as Robert’s Rules of Order) to determine if it is necessary to proceed with a division when a unanimous vote has already been clearly established. It’s essential to consider that in some decision-making bodies, certain rules may apply that allow the chair to deny a request for division if the vote was obviously unanimous, especially if the request for a division is seen as dilatory or disruptive without a valid point of contention.