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Parliament name National Assembly More photos  >>> Structure of parliament Bicameral Chamber name House of Representatives Related chamber (for bicameral parliaments) Senate Affiliation to the IPU No Affiliation date(s) LEADERSHIP President Laura Tucker-Longsworth (F)  Notes Elected on 13 Jan. 2017. Secretary General Eddie Webster (M)  Notes Appointed on 12 Apr. 2010. COMPOSITION Members (statutory / current number) 32 / 32 PERCENTAGE OF WOMEN More statistics  >>> Women (current number) 3 (9.38%) Mode of designation directly elected 31 other 1 Notes Other: the Speaker may be designated from outside parliament and becomes a member of parliament by virtue of holding the office of Speaker. Term 5 years Last renewal dates 4 November 2015 (View details) CONTACT INFORMATION Address The House of Representatives National Assembly Building P.O.Box 139 BELMOPAN, Cayo District (Export mailing lists) Phone 501 822 2141 2142 2144 Fax 501 822 3889 E-mail clerkna@bna.gov.bz Website http://www.nationalassembly.gov.bz/

Parliament name National Assembly Structure of parliament Bicameral Chamber name House of Representatives Related chamber (for bicameral parliaments) Senate LEGAL FRAMEWORK Electoral law 29 March 1978 Last amendment: 7/7/1998 Mode of designation directly elected 31 other 1 Constituencies 31 single-member constituencies. Voting system Majority: Direct election, simple-majority vote. Vacancies arising between general elections are filled through by-elections. Voting is not compulsory. Voter requirements - age: 18 years - Belize or British Commonwealth citizens who are domiciled or have resided in the country for at least one year immediately before polling day. - disqualifications: insanity, undischarged bankruptcy, electoral fraud, sentence to death or imprisonment exceeding one year CANDIDATES Eligibility Qualified electors - age: 18 years - Belize citizenship - residence in the country for at least one year immediately prior to nomination. - ineligibility: allegiance to a foreign State Incompatibilities - election-connected offices - membership of the armed or police forces - government contractors Candidacy requirements (data unavailable)

Parliament name National Assembly Structure of parliament Bicameral Chamber name House of Representatives Related chamber (for bicameral parliaments) Senate BACKGROUND Dates of election / renewal (from/to) 4 November 2015 Timing and scope of renewal Prime Minister Dean Barrow's United Democratic Party (UDP) won a third consecutive term in office, defeating the People's United Party (PUP) led by Mr. Francis Fonseca. The snap elections were held more than a year before they were constitutionally due. In April 2015, the National Assembly passed an amendment to the PetroCaribe Loans Act (see note). The PUP vowed to repeal the Act, arguing the legislation would limit parliamentary oversight over the PetroCaribe programme. In September, Prime Minister Barrow called the snap elections amid speculation that opposition forces would win parliamentary elections in Venezuela and perhaps put an end to PetroCaribe. Note: PetroCaribe is a Venezuelan aid programme that offers fuel at discounted prices, agreed between Belize and Venezuela in 2005. Since 2012, the Barrow administration has finalized major infrastructure projects with the money from the programme. Date of previous elections: 7 March 2012 Date of dissolution of the outgoing legislature: 28 September 2015 Timing of election: Early elections Expected date of next elections: November 2020 Number of seats at stake: 31 (full renewal) Number of candidates: 90 (80 men, 10 women) Percentage of women candidates: 11.1% Number of parties contesting the election: 4 Number of parties winning seats: 2 Alternation of power: No Number of parties in government: 1 Names of parties in government: United Democratic Party (UDP) Date of the first session of the new parliament: 13 November 2015 Name of the new Speaker: Mr. Michael Peyrefitte (United Democratic Party, UDP) STATISTICS Voter turnout Round no 1 4 November 2015 Number of registered electors Voters Blank or invalid ballot papers Valid votes 196'587 142'900 (72.69%) Notes Distribution of votes Round no 1 Political group Candidates Votes % of votes United Democratic Party (UDP) People's United Party (PUP) Distribution of seats Round no 1 Political Group Total of seats United Democratic Party (UDP) 19 People's United Party (PUP) 12 Distribution of seats according to sex Men Women Percent of women 29 2 6.45% Distribution of seats according to age Distribution of seats according to profession Comments Two women were elected in 2015. Ms. Laura Tucker-Longsworth, who was not among the 31 directly elected members, was elected Speaker in January 2017, replacing Mr. Michael Peyrefitte. She became a member of parliament by virtue of holding the office of Speaker. The number of women has therefore increased to three. Sources : http://www.nationalassembly.gov.bz http://www.elections.gov.bz/modules/article_publish/files/files_5751dbfccc313.pdf http://www.petrocaribe.bz/services-view/key-agreements/ http://www.reuters.com http://www.guardian.bz/ http://www.sanpedrosun.com/

Parliament name National Assembly 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: resignation, death, dissolution of the House, if he becomes a Minister, if he ceases to be a citizen of Belize or is disqualified by virtue of Section 58(1) of the Belize Constitution Appointment - elected by all Members of the House - election is held at the first sitting of the newly elected House - before Members are sworn in Eligibility - any citizen of Belize who satisfies the qualifications required may be a candidate Voting system - formal vote by simple majority - one round by voice vote Procedures / results - the Clerk presides over the House during the voting - the Clerk supervises the voting - the Clerk announces the results - the results cannot be challenged STATUS Status - ranks fifth in the hierarchy of State - comes before the President of the Senate in the order of precedence - both Presiding Officers preside together over the joint sittings of both Chambers - in the absence of the Speaker, the Deputy Speaker can assume his/her role and functions - is Chairman of the House Committe of Staff Board Material facilities - salary of $ 11,520 p.a. Bze dollars + special allowance of $2,808 p.a. Bze dollars FUNCTIONS Organization of parliamentary business - convenes sessions - establishes and modifies the agenda - organizes the debates and sets speaking time - examines the admissibility of bills and amendments - refers texts to a committee for study - examines the admissibility of request for setting up committees and/or committees of enquiry, proposes or decides on the setting up of such committees - is entitled to appoint special select committees Chairing of public sittings - can open, adjourn and close sittings by order of the House - 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 - establishes the list of speakers, gives and withdraws permission to speak (the Member who catches the Speaker's eye would have the floor) - establishes the order in which amendments are taken up (last amendments debated first) - calls for a vote (collection of voices and by division) - checks the quorum - authenticates the adopted texts and the records of debates - interprets the rules or other regulations governing the life of the House Special powers - recruits, assigns and promotes staff in his capacity of Chairman of the House Committee of Staff - 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 NA (no information received)

This page was last updated on 2 May 2017
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