| Parliament name |
Parliament |
| Structure of parliament |
Bicameral |
| Chamber name |
House of Assembly |
| Related chamber (for bicameral parliaments) |
Senate
|
| APPOINTMENT AND TERM OF OFFICE |
| Title |
Speaker of the House of Assembly |
| Term |
- duration: 5 years (term of House)
- reasons for interruption of the term: resignation, death, dissolution, appointment to either the Cabinet or the Senate
|
| Appointment |
- elected by all the Members of the House of Assembly
- election is held at the first sitting of the newly elected House of Assembly
- after the Members are sworn in
|
| Eligibility |
- any Member of the Assembly can be a candidate
- candidatures must be submitted by a third party who is himself a Member of the Assembly
- candidatures must be seconded by another Member |
| Voting system |
- if only one candidature is submitted : the candidate is elected without a vote or debate
- if several candidatures are submitted : a secret ballot is taken for each candidates in the order of their registration until one of them is elected. |
| Procedures / results |
NA (no information received) |
| STATUS |
| Status |
- in the absence of the Speaker, the Deputy Speaker can assume his/her role and functions |
| Board |
|
| Material facilities |
NA (no information received) |
| FUNCTIONS |
| Organization of parliamentary business |
- convenes sessions, in exceptional cases only
- organizes the debates and sets speaking time
- examines the admissibility of questions and petitions
|
| Chairing of public sittings |
- can open, adjourn and close sittings, within the framework of the Standing Orders
- ensures respect for provisions of the Constitution and Standing Orders
- makes announcements concerning the House of Assembly
- takes disciplinary measures in the event of disturbance, and lifts such measures
- establishes the list of speakers, gives (the Member who catches the speaker's eye would have the floor) and withdraws permission to speak
- calls for a vote, verifies the voting procedure and declares the results
- checks the quorum
- interprets the rules or other regulations governing the life of the House of Assembly
|
| Special powers |
- is responsible for safety, and in this capacity, can call the police in the event of disturbance in the House of Assembly |
| Speaking and voting rights, other functions |
- takes part in voting, only in the case of a tied vote |
Compare data for parliamentary chambers in the Presidency module
