Local Government in Ancient India c13.96

c13.96

The above conditions, showing the solicitude felt for the purity, fairness, frankness, and freedom of the debate, are well worthy of observance at modern political and other meetings. The voting was not rushed, but a full opportunity was given to the house to understand the question at issue. Care was also taken that the voting represented the actual opinion of the voter, whose independence and conscientiousness were not allowed to be affected by any undue influence or considerations of partisanship. The only limitation upon the freedom of discussion and decision by the majority of votes was that imposed by certain fundamental religious considerations which formed the very basis of the brotherhood, and violations of which would imply the dissolution of the *saṅgha* or order itself. On such serious questions no voting was allowed, and the principle of the equality of votes of all members was not recognized, simply because a difference of opinion on them would destroy that unity of the church which it was the aim by such free and frank discussions in meetings to strengthen and develop.