| Parliament name |
Parliament |
| Structure of parliament |
Bicameral |
| Chamber name |
National Council of Provinces |
| Related chamber (for bicameral parliaments) |
National Assembly
|
| APPOINTMENT AND TERM OF OFFICE |
| Title |
Chairperson of the National Council of Provinces |
| Term |
- duration: 5 years (term of House)
- reasons for interruption of the term : removal by resolution of the National Assembly, resignation, dissolution of Parliament, death
|
| Appointment |
- elected by all Members of the Council
- the election is held at the first sitting of the newly elected or whenever the office becomes vacant
|
| Eligibility |
- any permanent Delegate may be a candidate, but formal notification of candidature is required
- nomination must be signed by 2 Members and the candidate
|
| Voting system |
- formal vote by secret ballot in one round (or more if no candidate obtains a majority)
- majority is required for all the votes cast; in the event of equality of votes, a new round is held
|
| Procedures / results |
- the Chief Justice, or judge nominated by him, presides over the Council during the voting
- the Chief Justice (who may appoint persons to assist him) supervises the voting
- the Chief Justice, or judge presiding, announces the results without any delay
- the results cannot be challenged
|
| STATUS |
| Status |
- the President the National Council of Provinces and the Speaker of the National Assembly preside on monthly rotational basis over joint sittings of both Chambers
- represents the Council with the public authorities
- is ex officio Chairman of the Rules Committee
- in the absence of the President, the Vice President can assume his/her role and functions
|
| Board |
|
| Material facilities |
NA (no information received) |
| FUNCTIONS |
| Organization of parliamentary business |
- convenes sessions, in consultation with the Leader of the House
- examines the admissibility of bills and amendments
- refers texts to a committee for study
|
| 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 order in which amendments are taken up
- verifies the voting procedure and cancels a vote in the event of irregularities
- checks the quorum
- authenticates the adopted texts and the records of debates
- 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 |
- sets policy within which the Council's budget is compiled
- delegates specified responsabilities to the Secretary of Parliament in recruiting, assigning and promoting staff
- responsible for policy in organizing the services of the Council
- is responsible for relations with foreign Parliaments, jointly with the Speaker of Assembly
- 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 |
- takes the floor in legislative debates
- takes part in voting only in event of equality votes
- may only intervene in the parliamentary oversight procedures to ensure observance of Rules
|
