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FIJI
House of Representatives*
*The Parliament of Fiji was dissolved following a coup d'état in December 2006.
PRESIDENCY OF THE PARLIAMENTARY CHAMBER

Parliament name Parliament
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: 5 years (term of House)
- reasons for interruption of the term: resignation, death, dissolution
Appointment - elected by all the Members of the House
- election is held at the first meeting of the newly elected House or when a vacancy occurs
- After Members are sworn in
Eligibility - a person who is not a member of the House but who is qualified to be a candidate
- the candidate must be proposed by a Member
Voting system - formal vote by secret ballot
- simple majority
Procedures / results - the Clerk presides over the House during the voting
- any Member who has proposed a person as Speaker may act as a scrutineer and observe the count at the Table
STATUS
Status - in the absence of the Speaker, the Deputy Speaker can assume his/her role and functions
Board
Material facilities
FUNCTIONS
Organization of parliamentary business - convenes sessions, in exceptional cases only
- organizes the debates and sets speaking time
- examines the admissibility of bills
- 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 House
- takes disciplinary measures in the event of disturbance, and lifts such measures
- establishes the list of speakers, gives and withdraws permission to speak
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 NA (no information received)

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