| Parliament name |
National Assembly |
| Structure of parliament |
Unicameral |
| APPOINTMENT AND TERM OF OFFICE |
| Title |
Speaker of the National Assembly |
| Term |
- duration: 5 years (term of House)
- reasons for interruption of the term: resignation, death, dissolution of the Assembly, Speaker's responsibility called into question
|
| Appointment |
- elected by all Members of the Assembly
- election is held at the beginning of a new session after the general election
- before Members are sworn in
|
| Eligibility |
- any Member of the Assembly or any suitable person may be a candidate |
| Voting system |
- formal vote by secret ballot
- majority of votes required
- if no person receives a majority of votes in the first round, but if two or more candidates receice an equal number of votes, subsequent ballots shall be held between these candidates only until one candidate is duly elected
|
| Procedures / results |
- the Clerk presides over the Assembly during the voting
- the Clerk supervises the voting
- the Clerk announces the results without any delay after the votes have been counted
|
| STATUS |
| Status |
- represents the Assembly in international bodies such as the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association
- is ex officio Chairman of committees or other bodies
- in the absence of the Speaker, the Deputy Speaker can assume his/her role and functions
|
| Board |
|
| Material facilities |
- special allowance of $ 24120 per annum
- entertainment allowance of $ 1800 per annum
|
| 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
|
| Chairing of public sittings |
- can open, adjourn and close sittings
- ensures respect for provisions of the Constitution and Standing Orders
- makes announcements concerning the 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
- authenticates the adopted texts and the records of debates
|
| Special powers |
- is responsible for establishing the Assembly's budget in consultation with the Ministry of Finance
- recruits, assigns and promotes staff
- appoints the Clerk
- organizes the services of Parliament
- is responsible for relations with foreign Parliaments
- is responsible for safety, and in this capacity, can call the police in the event of disturbance in the Chamber
|
| Speaking and voting rights, other functions |
- takes part in voting if he is an elected Member
- signs all laws passed in the House and submits them for publication
|
Compare data for parliamentary chambers in the Presidency module
