| Parliament name (generic / translated) |
Majlis Al-Nuwwab / National Assembly |
| Structure of parliament |
Unicameral |
| APPOINTMENT AND TERM OF OFFICE |
| Title |
President of the National Assembly |
| Term |
- duration: 4 years (term of House)
- reasons for interruption of the term: resignation, death, dissolution of the Assembly, vote of no confidence in the President |
| Appointment |
- elected by all Members of the Assembly
- election held within 15 days of the validation of the MP who is a candidate |
| Eligibility |
- any MP from the Shiite Moslem community |
| Voting system |
- vote by secret ballot
- absolute majority required in the 1st and 2nd rounds, proportional majority in the 3rd round. In case of a tie, the oldest candidate is appointed President |
| Procedures / results |
- the oldest Member presides over the Assembly during the voting
- the two secretaries who are members of the Assembly's Board supervise the voting
- the Assembly's Board announces the results without delay
- the results cannot be challenged |
| STATUS |
| Status |
- ranks second in the hierarchy of State
- represents the Assembly with the public authorities
- represents the Assembly in bodies outside Parliament
- represents the Assembly in international bodies
- is ex officio Chairman of committees and other organs
- in the absence of the President, the Vice-President or the oldest member can assume his/her role and functions |
| Board |
- is elected under and regulated by Article 8 of the Standing Orders of the National Assembly
- consists of a President, a Vice-President, 2 secretaries and 3 commissioners (all MPs)
- meets at the initiative of the President
- constitutes a true collegial presidency |
| Material facilities |
- allowance
+ expense allowance
- official residence
- official car
- secretariat
- domestic personnel
- bodyguards |
| FUNCTIONS |
| Organization of parliamentary business |
- convenes sessions, together with the Board of the Assembly
- establishes and modifies the agenda, also with the Board
- organizes the debates and sets speaking time, also with the Board
- examines the admissibility of bills and amendments
|
| Chairing of public sittings |
- can open, adjourn and close sittings
- ensures respect for provisions of the Constitution and Standing Orders
- 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, together with the Board
- 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, together with the two secretaries of the Board
- signs the texts adopted and the records of debates
- has discretionary power to give the floor outside the agenda and thus organizes impromptu debates |
| Special powers |
- appoints the Clerk, together with the Board
- organizes the services of Parliament, also with the Board
The Board of the Assembly:
- is responsible for establishing the budget
- recruits, assigns and promotes staff
- 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 Assembly |
| Speaking and voting rights, other functions |
- takes the floor in legislative debates, by leaving his seat (in which case the Vice-President presides over the Assembly)
- provides guidelines for the interpretation or completion of the text under discussion
- takes part in voting
- proposes bills or amendments in his capacity as MP
- intervenes in the parliamentary oversight procedure
- must be consultated in connection with the appointment of the Head of Government |
Compare data for parliamentary chambers in the Presidency module
