What does it mean to annul a decision?

To annul a decision means to rescind, repeal, or render it void, making it as if the decision never existed. This process effectively nullifies the effects of the original decision, eliminating any authority or obligation that arose from it. In parliamentary procedure, this action is significant when a previous decision is deemed no longer valid, either due to new information, a change in circumstances, or a motion that directly addresses the prior decision.

Understanding the nuances of parliamentary terminology is essential, as the ability to annul a decision is often necessary to maintain order and adapt to changing situations within a meeting or organization. Other choices do not capture this concept accurately; for instance, delaying a decision only postpones it without nullifying its impact, changing a decision implies modification rather than complete cancellation, and summarizing a decision merely conveys its content without affecting its validity. Thus, the definition of annulment aligns precisely with the idea of completely invalidating a prior decision.