A required minimum number of members must be present for a deliberative assembly to legally transact business. This requirement ensures that decisions are made by a sufficient representation of the group. For instance, if a legislative body has 100 members and its established regulation stipulates that 51 members constitute this specified minimum, then at least 51 members must be present before any votes can be taken or official actions can be carried out.
The establishment of this minimum threshold is crucial for protecting against decisions made by a small minority, upholding the principles of fairness and representativeness. It prevents factions from pushing through agendas without the broader consent of the governing body. Historically, this practice has evolved to safeguard democratic processes and ensure that decisions reflect the collective will of the membership. The size of this threshold often reflects the size and nature of the deliberative body and the importance of its decisions.