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TUNISIA
Majlis Al-Nuwab (Chamber of Deputies)
PRESIDENCY OF THE PARLIAMENTARY CHAMBER

Compare data for parliamentary chambers in the Presidency module

Parliament name -
Structure of parliament Unicameral
Chamber name (generic / translated) Majlis Al-Nuwab / Chamber of Deputies
Related chamber (for bicameral parliaments) Majlis al-Mustasharin / Chamber of Councillors
APPOINTMENT AND TERM OF OFFICE
Title President of the Chamber of Deputies
Term - duration: 1 year, renewable (at the beginning of each ordinary session, in October of each year)
- reasons for interruption of the term: appointment to an office which cannot be held concurrently with the parliamentary mandate, resignation, death
Appointment - elected by all Members of the Chamber
- the election is held at the start of each ordinary session
- after members' mandates have been validated in the case of a new legislature
Eligibility - any Member may be a candidate
- notification of candidature must be made during the plenary opening sitting of the ordinary session
Voting system - formal vote by secret ballot if there are several candidates
- absolute majority required in the first round; relative majority in the second round; in case of a tie in the second round, the eldest candidate is declared elected
Procedures / results - the eldest member presides over the Assembly during the voting
- a Committee composed of 5 Members appointed at the start of the plenary opening sitting of the session supervises the voting
- the eldest Member announces the results without delay
- the results cannot be challenged
STATUS
Status - serves as Acting Head of State for a period of 45 to 60 days
- represents the Chamber with the authorities
- represents the Chamber in international bodies
- in the absence of the President, the First Vice-President can assume his/her role and functions
Board - the Board of the Chamber is regulated by the Standing Orders
- consists of the two Vice-Presidents, the 7 Chairmen of standing committees and the 7 Rapporteurs of these committees, all elected for one year
- meets once a fortnight
- assists the President
Material facilities
FUNCTIONS
Organization of parliamentary business - convenes sessions
- establishes and modifies the agenda, after consultation with the Board
- organizes the debates and sets speaking time
- 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
Chairing of public sittings - can open, adjourn and lift sittings
- ensures respect for provisions of the Constitution and Standing Orders
- makes announcements concerning the Chamber
- takes disciplinary measures in the event of disturbance, and lifts such measures
- establishes the list of speakers, gives and withdraws permission to speak
- 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
- authenticates the texts adopted and the records of debates
- interprets the rules or other regulations governing the life of the Chamber
- has discretionary power to give the floor outside the agenda and thus organizes impromptu debates

Special powers - recruits, assigns and promotes staff
- appoints the Secretary General
- organizes the services of Parliament
The Board:
- establishes the draft budget of the Chamber
- 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 - provides guidelines for the interpreting or supplementing the text under discussion
- intervenes in the parliamentary oversight procedure
- must be consulted by the Head of State if emergency powers are applied

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