Article 51 Speaker
(1)
At the first sitting of a newly elected National Assembly, the National Assembly,
with the Secretary acting as Chairperson, shall elect a member as Speaker. The
National Assembly shall then elect another member as Deputy-Speaker. The
Deputy-Speaker shall act as Speaker whenever the Speaker is not available.
(2)
The Speaker or Deputy-Speaker shall cease to hole! office if he or she ceases to
be a member of the National Assembly. The Speaker or Deputy-Speaker may be
removed from office by resolution of the National Assembly, and may resign from
office or from the National Assembly in writing addressed to the Secretary of the
National Assembly.
(3)
When the office of Speaker or Deputy-Speaker becomes vacant the National
Assembly shall elect a member to fill the vacancy.
(4)
When neither the Speaker nor the Deputy-Speaker is available for duty, the
National Assembly, with the Secretary acting as Chairperson, shall elect a
member to act as Speaker.
Article 52 Secretary and other Officers
(1)
Subject to the provisions of the laws pertaining to the public service and the
directives of the National Assembly, the Speaker shall appoint a person (or
designate a person in the public service made available for that purpose), as the
Secretary of the National Assembly, who shall perform the functions and duties
assigned to such Secretary by this Constitution or by the Speaker.
(2)
Subject to the laws governing the control of public monies, the Secretary shall
perform his or her functions and duties under the control of the Speaker.
(3)
The Secretary shall be assisted by officers of the National Assembly who shall be
persons in the public service made available for that purpose.
Article 53 Quorum
The presence of at least thirty-seven (37) members of the National Assembly entitled to vote,
other than the Speaker or the presiding member, shall be necessary to constitute a meeting
of the National Assembly for the exercise of its powers and the performance of its functions.
Article 54 Casting Vote
In the case of an equality of votes in the National Assembly, the Speaker or the
Deputy-Speaker or the presiding member shall have and may exercise a casting vote.
Article 55 Oath or Affirmation
Every member of the National Assembly shall make and subscribe to an oath or solemn
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