| Parliament name (generic / translated) |
Fono / Legislative Assembly |
| Structure of parliament |
Unicameral |
| APPOINTMENT AND TERM OF OFFICE |
| Title |
Speaker of the Legislative Assembly |
| Term |
- term: 5 years (Term of House)
- reasons for interruption of the term: resignation, death, dissolution of the Assembly, conduct unbecoming a Member of Parliament, or adultery
|
| Appointment |
- elected by all Members of the Assembly |
| Eligibility |
- any Member of the Assembly may be a candidate |
| Voting system |
- formal vote by secret ballot
- usually one round, several rounds if required
- no new candidates are admitted once nominations are closed
|
| Procedures / results |
- the Clerk presides over the Assembly during the voting
- the Clerk supervises the voting
- the Clerk announces the results without any delay
- the results can be challenged
|
| STATUS |
| Status |
- ranks in the hierarchy of State immediately below Ministers
- represents the Assembly with the public authorities
- can be ex officio member of bodies outside the Parliament
- in the absence of the Speaker, the Deputy Speaker can assume his/her role and functions
|
| Board |
|
| Material facilities |
- salary just inferior to a Minister's salary
- official car
- personal secretary
|
| FUNCTIONS |
| Organization of parliamentary business |
- organizes the debates and sets speaking time
- 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
- 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
- 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
- authenticates the adopted texts and the records of debates
- interprets the rules or other regulations governing the life of the Assembly
|
| Special powers |
- recruits, assigns and promotes staff on recommendation of the Clerk
- is consulted by the Cabinet about the appointment of the Clerk who is nominated by the Head of State
- 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 interpretation or completion of the text under discussion
- takes only part in casting vote
- intervenes in the parliamentary oversight procedure
- supervises the debate during the promulgation of laws
- ensures that bills do not contain provisions contrary to the Constitution and the Standing Orders
|
Compare data for parliamentary chambers in the Presidency module
