| Parliament name (generic / translated) |
Majlis Al-Umma / National Assembly |
| Structure of parliament |
Bicameral |
| Chamber name (generic / translated) |
Majlis Al-Nuwaab / House of Representatives |
| Related chamber (for bicameral parliaments) |
Majlis Al-Aayan / Senate
|
| APPOINTMENT AND TERM OF OFFICE |
| Title |
Speaker of the House of Representatives |
| Term |
- duration: 1 year, renewable
- reasons for interruption of the term: resignation, death, dissolution of the Parliament, Speaker's responsibility called into question |
| Appointment |
- elected by all Members of the House of Representatives
- election held at the beginning of the new ordinary session of the Parliament (October 1st, each year)
- election held after the Members' mandates are validated, and after Members are sworn in |
| Eligibility |
- any Member of the House of Representatives can be candidate
- formal notification of candidature required
- deadline for the notification of candidature: beginning of the new ordinary session |
| Voting system |
- formal vote by secret ballot
- absolute majority is required (41 of the 80 Members) - if no candidate obtains that majority in the first round, several rounds are held |
| Procedures / results |
- a special committee composed of Members of the House of Parliament for the election presides over the Assembly during the voting
- the special committee supervises the voting
- the most senior Member announces the results without any delay
- the results can be challenged |
| STATUS |
| Status |
- ranks third after the Prime Minister, and the President of the Senate
- the President of the Senate presides over joint sittings of both Chambers
- represents the Assembly with the public authorities
- is ex officio Member of bodies outside Parliament
- represents the Assembly in international bodies
- in the absence of the Speaker, the Deputy Speaker can assume his/her role and functions |
| Board |
- the Permanent Office is composed of 2 Deputy Speakers and 2 assistants
- term of office: 1 year
- meets once a week
- assists and advises the Speaker and is also a collegiate presidency |
| Material facilities |
- allowance
- special allowance
- official car
- secretariat and additional staff |
| 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, with the approval of the Asssembly
- examines the admissibility of request for setting up committees and/or committees of enquiry, proposes or decides on the setting up of such committees, with the approval of the Assembly |
| Chairing of public sittings |
- can open, adjourn and close sittings
- ensures respect for provisions of the Constitution and Standing Orders
- makes announcements concerning the Assembly
- takes disciplinary measures in the event of disturbance, and lifts such measures
- establishes the list of speakers, gives and withdraws permission to speak
- establishes the order in which amendments are taken up and selects which amendments are to be debated
- calls for a vote, decides how it is to be carried out, verifies the voting procedure and cancels a vote in the event of irregularities
- checks the quorum, with thew assistance of the Clerk
- authenticates the adopted texts and the records of debates
- interprets the rules or other regulations governing the life of the Assembly
- has discretionary power to give the floor outside the agenda and thus organizes impromptu debates, with the approval of the Assembly |
| Special powers |
makes recommendations for:
- the establishment of the House's budget
- recruitement, assignment and promotion of staff
- the appoinment of the Clerk
- the organization of the services of Parliament
- is responsible for relations with foreign Parliaments
- is responsible for safety, and in this capacity, can call the police in the event of disturbance in the Chamber |
| Speaking and voting rights, other functions |
- takes the floor in legislative debates
- provides guidelines for the interpretation or completion of the text under discussion
- takes part in voting only in the event of a tie
- proposes bills or amendments
- intervenes in the parliamentary oversight procedure |
Compare data for parliamentary chambers in the Presidency module
