of the Senate. Judgements in such cases shall not extend beyond removal from
office and disqualification to hold public office in the Republic; but the party may
be tried at law for the same offense. The Legislature shall prescribe the procedure
for impeachment proceedings which shall be in conformity with the requirements
of due process of law.
Article 44
Contempt of the Legislature shall consist of actions which obstruct the legislative
functions or which obstruct or impede members or officers of the Legislature in the
discharge of their legislative duties and may be punished by the House concerned
by reasonable sanctions after a hearing consistent with due process of law. No
sanctions shall extend beyond the session of the Legislature wherein it is imposed,
and any sanction imposed shall conform to the provisions on Fundamental Rights
laid down in the Constitution. Disputes between legislators and non-members which
are properly cognizable in the courts shall not be entertained or heard in the
Legislature.
Article 45
The Senate shall composed of Senators elected for a term of nine years by the
registered voters in each of the counties, but a Senator elected in a by-election to
fill a vacancy created by death, resignation, expulsion or otherwise, shall be so
elected to serve only the remainder of the unexpired term of office. Each county
shall elect two Senators and each Senator shall have one vote in the Senate.
Senators shall be eligible for re-election.
Article 46
Immediately after the Senate shall have assembled following the elections prior to
the coming into force of this Constitution, the Senators shall be divided into two
categories as a result of the votes cast in each county. The Senator with the higher
votes cast shall be the Senator from a county shall be placed in the same category.
The seats of Senators of the first category shall be vacated at the expiration of the
ninth year. In the interest of legislative continuity, the Senators of the second
category shall serve a first term of six years only, after the first elections.
Thereafter, all Senators shall be elected to serve a term of nine years.
Article 47
The Senate shall elect once every six years a President Pro Tempore who shall
preside in the absence of the President of the Senate, and such shall officers as
shall ensure the proper functioning of the Senate. The President Pro Tempore and
other officers so elected may be removed from office for cause by resolution of a
two-theirs majority of the members of the Senate.
Article 48