Debate Format (Asian

Parliamentary) and Speakers

Role
By: Keeren S Rajoo
Fig 1: Position arrangement in BP Format
General rules and guidelines
Each debater is given SEVEN minutes.
A bell will be rung after the expiration of
one minute and six minutes.
The bell will be rung twice after the seventh
minute.
No heckling, insults, props or specialized
knowledge. No switching positions!
Strictly no discussions among opponents.
Prime Minister (Opening Speaker)
Define the topic of the debate BUT it must
be clearly linked to the motion.
You have to propose something.
You must say that something is wrong and
THIS is what you are going to do about it.
What you are going to do is the debatable
part of the definition.
Must be DEBATABLE.
Opposition Leader;
Rebut the points (proposal) made by the
government .
Address the reason for them being flawed
with oppositions proposal.
Outline and develop your case.
Deputy Prime Minister;
Rebut the first opposition speaker.
Back up your teammate: CLARIFY
Present 2-3 arguments.
Deputy Opposition Leader;
Rebut GOV.
Back up your teammate: CLARIFY
Present 2-3 arguments.

Government Whip
Rebut Opposition.
Summarize Governments entire case.
Identify and address key issues of the
debate. (Comparative analysis)
Opposition Whip
Rebut Government.
Summarize Oppositions entire case.
Identify and address key issues of the
debate. (Comparative analysis)

REPLY
4 minutes, uninterrupted speech.
Only 1
st
or 2
nd
speaker.
Opposition goes first.
Focus on the technicality of the debate.
Points of Information (POI)
Only allowed between the first and the sixth
minute, maximum time allowed is 15 sec.
Stand up when giving a POI.
Do not ask POIs to opponents of the same side!
Only state your POI when it has been accepted.
Accept between 1-3 POIs.
Make it short and straight to the point.
Do not have a conversation!