Parliament name |
National Assembly |
Structure of parliament |
Bicameral |
Chamber name |
House of Representatives |
Related chamber (for bicameral parliaments) |
Senate
|
APPOINTMENT AND TERM OF OFFICE |
Title |
Speaker of the House of Representatives |
Term |
- duration: 4 years (term of House)
- reasons for interruption of the term: resignation, death, dissolution
|
Appointment |
- elected by all the Members
- the election is held at the first sitting of the newly elected House or when a vacancy occurs
- after validation of mandates
- before Members are sworn in
|
Eligibility |
- only a Member of the majority party can be elected
- candidatures must be submitted by a third party who is himself a Member of the House
- candidatures must be supported by another Member of the House
|
Voting system |
- if only one candidature is submitted : the candidate is elected without a vote or debate
- if two candidatures are submitted : electronic vote or secret ballot is held. Simple majority is required
- if more than two candidatures are submitted : electronic vote or secret ballot is held. The candidates who obtains the majority is elected. In case of a tie, the candidate with the fewest vote is eliminated and new round a voting is held
|
Procedures / results |
- the Clerk presides over the House during the voting
- the Clerk announces the results without any delay
|
STATUS |
Status |
- in the absence of the Speaker, the Deputy Speaker can assume his/her role and functions
|
Board |
|
Material facilities |
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FUNCTIONS |
Organization of parliamentary business |
- convenes sessions, in exceptional case only
- organizes the debates and sets speaking time
|
Chairing of public sittings |
- can open, adjourn and close sittings, in the framework of the Standing Orders
- ensures respect for provisions of the Constitution and Standing Orders
- makes announcements concerning the House
- 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
- interprets the rules or other regulations governing the life of the House
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Special powers |
- is responsible for safety, and in this capacity, can call the police in the event of disturbance in the House |
Speaking and voting rights, other functions |
- takes part in voting, only in a case of a tied vote |