of the Members of Parliament:
Provided that if three successive resolutions proposing the election of a Speaker fail to receive the votes of twothirds of the Members of Parliament, the Speaker shall be elected by a resolution passed by a simple majority of all
the Members of Parliament.
(3) No person shall be elected as speaker—
a.
b.
if he is a member of the Armed Forces; or
if he is a Minister or a Deputy Minister.
(4) The Speaker shall vacate his office—
a.
b.
c.
d.
if he becomes a Minister or a Deputy Minister; or
if any circumstances arise that, if he were not the Speaker, would disqualify him from election as Speaker;
or
when Parliament first meets after any dissolution; or
if he is removed from office by a resolution of Parliament supported by the votes of not less than two-thirds
of the Members of Parliament.
(5) No business shall be transacted in Parliament (other than an election to the office of Speaker) at any time if the
office of Speaker is vacant.
(6) Any person elected to the office of Speaker who is not a Member of Parliament shall before entering upon the
duties of his office, take and subscribe before Parliament the oath as set out in the Third Schedule in this
Constitution.
(7) The Speaker, or in his absence the Deputy Speaker, shall preside over all sittings of Parliament, except when the
President is present.
Deputy Speaker.
80. (1) There shall be a Deputy Speaker who shall be elected by the Members of Parliament.
(2) No person shall be elected as Deputy Speaker unless he is a Member of Parliament.
(3) The Members of Parliament shall elect a person to the office of Deputy Speaker—
a.
b.
at the first sitting of Parliament in every session; or
at the first sitting of Parliament after the occurrence of a vacancy in the office of Deputy Speaker, or so soon
thereafter as may be convenient.
(4) The Deputy Speaker shall vacate his office—
a.
b.
if he ceases to be a Member of Parliament; or
if he is removed from office by a resolution of Parliament.
(5) If the Speaker is absent from Sierra Leone or otherwise unable to perform any of the functions conferred upon
him by this Constitution those functions may be performed by the Deputy Speaker.
Election of Speaker and
Deputy Speaker.
81. On any resolution for the election or removal of a Speaker or Deputy Speaker, the votes of the Members of
Parliament shall be given by ballot in such manner as not to disclose how any particular member votes.
Clerk of Parliament.
82. (1) There shall be a Clerk of Parliament who shall be appointed by the President acting in consultation with the
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