provisionals

Provisionals refers to temporary or interim arrangements, statuses, or measures used during a transition or while awaiting a final decision. The term derives from Latin provisio, meaning provision or supply.

In government and politics, provisional governments are administrations formed to govern a state temporarily when a genuine government is unavailable or during a transition to a new constitutional order. They may oversee elections, draft new constitutions, or maintain order until a permanent government is established. International actors may also create provisional authorities in occupied or administered territories.

In law, provisional remedies and measures are provisional actions issued by courts to preserve rights pending a full hearing, such as provisional injunctions or stay orders. They are typically subject to later modification or dissolution based on the outcome of the underlying dispute.

In elections, provisional ballots are used when the voter's eligibility cannot be confirmed at the polling place. After verification, provisional ballots may be counted or rejected, depending on jurisdiction rules. The aim is to ensure access to voting while maintaining election integrity.

In finance and procurement, provisional sums or provisional budgets are funds set aside for unforeseen needs or to cover ongoing work while final costs are determined. In construction, provisional items may be added to contracts to cover potential changes.

Overall, provisionals function as placeholders that enable continuity and process flow without committing to final terms until circumstances become clearer.