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Parliament name National Assembly More photos  >>> Structure of parliament Bicameral Chamber name Senate Related chamber (for bicameral parliaments) House of Representatives Affiliation to the IPU No Affiliation date(s) LEADERSHIP President Lee Mark Chang (M)  Notes Elected on 13 Nov. 2015. Secretary General Eddie Webster (M)  Notes Appointed on 12 Apr. 2010. COMPOSITION Members (statutory / current number) 13 / 13 PERCENTAGE OF WOMEN More statistics  >>> Women (current number) 2 (15.38%) Mode of designation appointed 12 other 1 Notes Appointed members: Six members are appointed on the advice of the Prime Minister; three on the advice of the Leader of the Opposition; one on the advice of the Belize Council of Churches and the Evangelical Association of Churches; one on the advice of the Belize Chamber of Commerce and Industry and the Belize Business Bureau; and one on the advice of the National Trade Union Congress of Belize and the Civil Society Steering Committee. Other: the Speaker may be designated from outside the Senate and becomes a member of the Senate by virtue of holding the office of Speaker. Term 5 years Last renewal dates 13 November 2015 (View details) CONTACT INFORMATION Address The Senate National Assembly Building P.O.Box 139 BELMOPAN, Cayo District (Export mailing lists) Phone (501) 822 2141 2142 2144 Fax (501) 822 3889 E-mail clerkna@bna.gov.bz Website http://www.nationalassembly.gov.bz/

Parliament name National Assembly Structure of parliament Bicameral Chamber name Senate Related chamber (for bicameral parliaments) House of Representatives LEGAL FRAMEWORK Electoral law 1 January 1900 Mode of designation appointed 12 other 1 Constituencies (not applicable) Voting system : Vacancies arising between general elections are filled by appointment. Voter requirements (not applicable) CANDIDATES Eligibility - age: 18 years - Belize citizenship - residence in the country for at least one year immediately prior to nomination - ineligibility: allegiance to a foreign State Incompatibilities - election-connected offices - membership of armed or police forces - government contractors Candidacy requirements (not applicable)

Parliament name National Assembly Structure of parliament Bicameral Chamber name Senate Related chamber (for bicameral parliaments) House of Representatives BACKGROUND Dates of election / renewal (from/to) 13 November 2015 Timing and scope of renewal (not applicable) (not applicable) STATISTICS Voter turnout Distribution of votes Distribution of seats Distribution of seats according to sex Men Women Percent of women % Distribution of seats according to age Distribution of seats according to profession Comments Source: http://www.nationalassembly.gov.bz/senate/

Parliament name National Assembly Structure of parliament Bicameral Chamber name Senate Related chamber (for bicameral parliaments) House of Representatives APPOINTMENT AND TERM OF OFFICE Title President of the Senate Term - duration: 5 years (term of House) - reasons for interruption of the term: resignation, death, dissolution of the Senate, 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 Senators - election is held at the first sitting of the newly elected Senate - 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 Senate during the voting - the Clerk supervises the voting - the Clerk announces the results without any delay - the results cannot be challenged STATUS Status - ranks sixth in the hierarchy of State - comes after the Speaker of the House of Representatives in the order of precedence - both Presiding Officers preside together over the joint sitting of both Chambers - in the absence of the President, the Vice-President can assume his/her role and functions 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 Senate - ensures respect for provisions of the Constitution and Standing Orders - makes announcements concerning the Senate - 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 President's exe 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 Senate Special powers - recruits, assigns and promotes staff - is responsible for safety, and in this capacity, can call the police in the event of disturbance in the Senate Speaking and voting rights, other functions NA (no information received)

This page was last updated on 20 February 2017
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