Parliament name (generic / translated) |
Maneaba Ni Maungatabu / House of Assembly |
Structure of parliament |
Unicameral |
APPOINTMENT AND TERM OF OFFICE |
Title |
Speaker of the House of Assembly |
Term |
- duration: 4 years (term of House)
- reasons for interruption of the term: resignation, death, dissolution
|
Appointment |
- elected by all the Members
- election is held at the first sitting of the newly elected Assembly or when a vacancy occurs
- after Members are sworn in
|
Eligibility |
- any qualified person who is not a Member of the House of Assembly
- candidatures must be submitted by a Member of the House of Assembly
- candidatures must be supported by another Member of the House of Assembly
|
Voting system |
- if three candidatures, or less, are submitted : a vote by secret ballot is held. A simple majority required
- if more than three candidatures are submitted : half of the candidates are elected in the first round, then further rounds are held until only two candidates are left ; the one who obtains a majority of the votes cast is then elected
|
Procedures / results |
- the Chief Justice presides over the House of Assembly during the voting |
STATUS |
Status |
- in the absence of the Speaker, a private Member elected by the House of Assembly for that sitting, can assume his/her role and functions |
Board |
|
Material facilities |
NA (no information received) |
FUNCTIONS |
Organization of parliamentary business |
- convenes sessions
- organizes the debates and sets speaking time
- examines the admissibility of questions, petitions, bills and amendments
- examines the admissibility of request for setting up committees and/or committees of enquiry, proposes or decides on the setting up of such committees
|
Chairing of public sittings |
- can open and close sittings within the framework of the Standing Orders
- - can suspend sittings for short periods
- ensures respect for provisions of the Constitution and Standing Orders
- makes announcements concerning the House of Assembly
- 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
|
Special powers |
- is responsible for safety, and in this capacity, can call the police in the event of disturbance in the House of Assembly |
Speaking and voting rights, other functions |
NA (no information received) |