| Parliament name |
Parliament |
| Structure of parliament |
Bicameral |
| Chamber name |
House of Representatives |
| Related chamber (for bicameral parliaments) |
Senate
|
| APPOINTMENT AND TERM OF OFFICE |
| Title |
Speaker of the House of Representatives |
| Term |
- duration: 5 years (term of House)
- reasons for interruption of the term: death, loss of citizenship, appointment as Minister or Parliamentary Secretary, loss of parliamentary mandate
|
| Appointment |
- elected by all the Members of the House
- election is held after a general election or when a vacancy occurs
- after Members are sworn in
|
| Eligibility |
- any Member of the House (except a Minister or a Parliamentary Secretary) or any person not Member of the House but qualified to be elected as its Speaker may be a candidate
- candidatures have to be submitted at the first meeting of the newly elected House
|
| Voting system |
- formal vote by secret ballot if there is more than one candidate
- a simple majority?? of the votes cast is required
- if no candidate obtains the required majority, several rounds are held and no new candidates are admitted
|
| Procedures / results |
- the Clerk presides over the House during the voting
- the Clerk supervises the voting
- the Clerk announces the results without any delay
- the results cannot be challenged
|
| STATUS |
| Status |
- ranks seventh in the hierarchy of State
- the President of the Senate has precedence over the Speaker of the House of Representatives
- the President of the Senate presides over joint sittings of both Houses
- represents the House with the public authorities
- represents the House in international bodies
- in the absence of the Speaker, the Deputy Speaker can assume his/her role and functions
|
| Board |
|
| Material facilities |
- salary of $ 5,000 EC??
- travel allowance of $ 531
- entertainment?? allowance of $ 400
|
| FUNCTIONS |
| Organization of parliamentary business |
- The Government organizes debates and the speaking time is set by the Standing Orders |
| Chairing of public sittings |
- may suspend sittings for short periods
- ensures respect for provisions of the Constitution and Standing Orders
- makes announcements concerning the House
- takes disciplinary measures in the event of disturbance, and lifts such measures
- can call for a vote
- checks the quorum
- authenticates the adopted texts and the records of debates
- interprets the rules or other regulations governing the life of the Assembly
|
| Special powers |
- is consulted for the appointment of the Clerk
- is responsible for safety, and in this capacity, can call the police in the event of disturbance in the House
|
| Speaking and voting rights, other functions |
- takes part in voting if elected to the House by a constituency |
Compare data for parliamentary chambers in the Presidency module
