Definition of overall majority

The term "overall majority" refers to a situation in which a political party or coalition holds a governing power in a legislative body by securing more than half of the total seats. In simpler words, it means that the party or alliance has won a majority in each of the chambers (Houses) of the legislative body. The concept originated from the British parliamentary system, where a party or coalition needs to win at least 50% of the seats in the House of Commons to form a majority government. This system has been adapted by many other democratic countries with parliamentary forms of government, such as India, Australia, New Zealand, and Pakistan. The term "overall majority" is significant as it implies that the governing party or alliance has a strong Mandate to govern and implement policies, as they do not depend on the support of other parties in the legislature. It also provides stability to the government and reduces the possibility of political instability and frequent changes in policies. However, it's essential to note that the margin of an overall majority can vary from one election to another, depending on the size of the legislative assembly. For example, in a bicameral legislative body (such as the US Congress or the UK Parliament), securing a majority in both houses (Senate and House of Commons) is necessary to form an overall majority. In summary, "overall majority" is a term widely used in the political lexicon to describe a political situation where a party or coalition holds a majority in each of the chambers of a legislative body, providing them with a stronger mandate to govern and implement policies.