| Parliament name |
National Assembly |
| Structure of parliament |
Bicameral |
| Chamber name |
Senate |
| Related chamber (for bicameral parliaments) |
House of Representatives
|
| APPOINTMENT AND TERM OF OFFICE |
| Title |
President of the Senate |
| Term |
- duration: 5 years (term of House)
- reasons for interruption of the term: resignation, death, dissolution of the Senate, 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 Senators
- election is held at the first sitting of the newly elected Senate
- 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 Senate during the voting
- the Clerk supervises the voting
- the Clerk announces the results without any delay
- the results cannot be challenged |
| STATUS |
| Status |
- ranks sixth in the hierarchy of State
- comes after the Speaker of the House of Representatives in the order of precedence
- both Presiding Officers preside together over the joint sitting of both Chambers
- in the absence of the President, the Vice-President can assume his/her role and functions |
| 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 Senate
- ensures respect for provisions of the Constitution and Standing Orders
- makes announcements concerning the Senate
- 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 President's exe 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 Senate |
| Special powers |
- recruits, assigns and promotes staff
- is responsible for safety, and in this capacity, can call the police in the event of disturbance in the Senate |
| Speaking and voting rights, other functions |
NA (no information received) |
Compare data for parliamentary chambers in the Presidency module
