Parliamentary procedure is the body of rules, ethics, and customs governing meetings and other operations of clubs, organizations, legislative bodies, and other deliberative assemblies. General principles of parliamentary procedure include rule of the majority with respect for the minority.

The purpose of parliamentary procedure is for the assembly to conduct its businesses in the most efficient way possible while protecting the rights of its members.

The basic principle of decision is majority vote.

The minority have certain rights that only a supermajority, such as a two-thirds vote, can overrule. Such rights include introducing new business and speaking in debate.

Members have the right to attend meetings, speak in debate, make (and second) motions, and vote; when the vote is by ballot, there is an additional right of secrecy in how the member votes. Other rights include nominating (and being nominated) to office, running for or being elected to office, and receiving proper notice of all meetings. A member cannot be individually deprived of any these rights except through disciplinary procedures.

Members have the right to know what they are deciding on. The assembly acts with fairness and good faith. All members are treated equally. Members are expected to be of honorable character.

Only one main motion can be pending at a time. According to Robert's Rules of Order Newly Revised (RONR), this rule is considered to be a fundamental principle of parliamentary law.

Each member has a vote and each vote is weighted equally. RONR also considers this principle to be a fundamental rule of parliamentary law. Exceptions to this rule, such as cumulative voting, must be expressly provided for in the organization's fundamental rules.