IPU Logo    INTER-PARLIAMENTARY UNION
>>> VERSION FRANÇAISE  
   HOME -> PARLINE -> NAMIBIA (National Council)
Print this pagePrint this page
PARLINE database new searchNew search
NAMIBIA
National Council
PRESIDENCY OF THE PARLIAMENTARY CHAMBER

Compare data for parliamentary chambers in the Presidency module

Parliament name Parliament
Structure of parliament Bicameral
Chamber name National Council
Related chamber (for bicameral parliaments) National Assembly
APPOINTMENT AND TERM OF OFFICE
Title Chairperson of the National Council
Term - duration: 6 years (term of House)
- reasons for interruption of the term: resignation, death, dissolution of the Assembly
Appointment - elected by all Members of the Council
- the election is held on the first sitting day of the newly elected Council
- after Members' mandates have been validated and they have been sworn in
Eligibility - any Member of the Council can be a candidate
Voting system - secret ballot
- simple majority
Procedures / results - the Secretary General presides over the Council during the voting
- the clerks supervises the voting
- the Secretary General announces the results without any delay
- the results cannot be challenged
STATUS
Status - ranks third in the hierarchy of State
- represents the Council in international bodies
- presides over joint sessions of the Chambers
- in the absence of the Chairman, the Deputy Chairman can assume his/her role and functions
Board
Material facilities - allowance
- official car
- household 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
- examines the admissibility of requests for setting up committees and/or committees of enquiry, proposes or decides to set up such bodies
- may appoint committees and their Chairmen
Chairing of public sittings - can open, adjourn and close sittings
- ensures respect for provisions of the Constitution and Standing Orders
- makes announcements concerning the Council
- 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
- interprets the rules or other regulations governing the life of the Council
- has discretionary power to give the floor outside the agenda and thus organizes impromptu debates

Special powers - recommends the budget of the National Council
- recommends the recruitment, assignment and promotion of staff
- appoints the Secretary General
- organizes the services of the Council
- 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 Council

Speaking and voting rights, other functions - may not take part in voting but has a casting vote
- signs laws and transmits them to the Head of State for enactment
- ensures the constitutionality of laws

Copyright 1996-2016 Inter-Parliamentary Union