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BELIZE
House of Representatives
PRESIDENCY OF THE PARLIAMENTARY CHAMBER

Compare data for parliamentary chambers in the Presidency module

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: 5 years (term of House)
- reasons for interruption of the term: resignation, death, dissolution of the House, if he becomes a Minister, if he ceases to be a citizen of Belize or is disqualified by virtue of Section 58(1) of the Belize Constitution
Appointment - elected by all Members of the House
- election is held at the first sitting of the newly elected House
- before Members are sworn in
Eligibility - any citizen of Belize who satisfies the qualifications required may be a candidate
Voting system - formal vote by simple majority
- one round by voice vote
Procedures / results - the Clerk presides over the House during the voting
- the Clerk supervises the voting
- the Clerk announces the results
- the results cannot be challenged
STATUS
Status - ranks fifth in the hierarchy of State
- comes before the President of the Senate in the order of precedence
- both Presiding Officers preside together over the joint sittings of both Chambers
- in the absence of the Speaker, the Deputy Speaker can assume his/her role and functions
- is Chairman of the House Committe of Staff
Board
Material facilities - salary of $ 11,520 p.a. Bze dollars
+ special allowance of $2,808 p.a. Bze dollars
FUNCTIONS
Organization of parliamentary business - convenes sessions
- establishes and modifies the agenda
- organizes the debates and sets speaking time
- examines the admissibility of bills and amendments
- 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
- is entitled to appoint special select committees
Chairing of public sittings - can open, adjourn and close sittings by order of the House
- 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 (the Member who catches the Speaker's eye would have the floor)
- establishes the order in which amendments are taken up (last amendments debated first)
- calls for a vote (collection of voices and by division)
- checks the quorum
- authenticates the adopted texts and the records of debates
- interprets the rules or other regulations governing the life of the House
Special powers - recruits, assigns and promotes staff in his capacity of Chairman of the House Committee of Staff
- 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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