| Parliament name |
National Assembly |
| Structure of parliament |
Unicameral |
| APPOINTMENT AND TERM OF OFFICE |
| Title |
Speaker of the National Assembly |
| Term |
- duration: 5 years (term of House)
- reasons for interruption of the term: removal by resolution of the Assembly supported by the two third of all the Members, resignation, death, dissolution of the Parliament |
| Appointment |
- elected by all Members of the Assembly
- election held at the beginning of new Assembly or whenever the office falls vacant
- after Member's mandates are validated and before Members are sworn in |
| Eligibility |
- any person qualified to be elected as Member of the Assembly but who is not Member of the Assembly can be candidate |
| Voting system |
- formal vote by consensus
- generally only one candidate elected by overwhelming majority
- a Member addressing himself to the Clerk proposes to the House the name of a candidate.This proposal is seconded and the House indicates by the cry of "hear, hear" that the motion is passed without question put. However if more than one person is proposed and seconded the question is put, naming the person to take the chair until a name is agreed on |
| Procedures / results |
- the Clerk of the Assembly presides over the Assembly during the voting
- the Clerk of the Assembly supervises the voting
- the results cannot be challenged |
| STATUS |
| Status |
- ranks third in the hierarchy of State
- represents the Assembly with the public authorities
- represents the Assembly in international bodies (Commonwealth Parliamentary Association, Inter-Parliamentary Union meetings)
- is ex officio president of other bodies
- in the absence of the Speaker, the Deputy Speaker can assume his/her role and functions |
| Board |
|
| Material facilities |
- salary of K 1,911,180 per annum
+ allowance K 3,925,592 per annum
- official residence
- official car
- domestic staff
- body guards
- staff employed by the National Assembly |
| FUNCTIONS |
| Organization of parliamentary business |
- modifies the agenda according to the Procedure of the House
- organizes the debates and sets speaking time
- examines the admissibility of bills and amendments
- refers texts to a committee for study
- is entitled to appoint committees and their presiding officers |
| 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, with a Minister
- 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 adopted texts and the records of debates
- interprets the rules or other regulations governing the life of the Assembly. Interpretations based on precedents and Rules of Procedure
- has discretionary power to give the floor outside the agenda and thus organizes impromptu debates |
| Special powers |
- approves the proposal of the Assembly's budget
- gives the authorization to recruit, assign and promote staff
- regulates the debate over a proposal for the appointment of the Clerk
- organizes the services of Parliament
- plays a specific role in the conduct of foreign affairs or defence matters
- 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 |
- takes part in voting only if the votes are equally divided
- intervenes in the parliamentary oversight procedure
- regulates debates on bills
- may ensure the constitutionality of laws
|
Compare data for parliamentary chambers in the Presidency module
