4 of 2001(1) Subject to section 53 (7) the Speaker shall not have a deliberative vote, but if the
votes of the National Assembly are equally divided upon any question, he or she shall exercise the
casting vote.
(2) Any presiding member shall retain his or her original deliberative vote as a member and
shall, in addition, have and exercise a casting vote where the votes of the National Assembly on any
question are equally divided.
[Ch0000s55]55. The Clerk
4 of 2002There shall be a Clerk to the National Assembly who shall be a public officer and shall
assist the Speaker of the National Assembly and perform such other functions and duties as the Speaker
may direct.
[Ch0000s56]56. The right to regulate procedure
6 of 1995, 4 of 2001, 13 of 2001(1) Subject to this Constitution, the National Assembly, may by
Standing Order or otherwise regulate its own procedure.
(2) Save as otherwise provided in this Constitution, the National Assembly may act unless more
than two-thirds of all the seats of the National Assembly are vacant.
(3) The presence or participation of any person not entitled to be present or to participate in the
proceedings of the National Assembly shall not invalidate those proceedings.
(4) The National Assembly shall provide access to the press and members of the public, except
where a motion is passed with reasons prohibiting public access in the national interest.
(5) The proceedings of Parliament shall be conducted in the English language and such other
languages as the National Assembly may prescribe.
(6) Parliament may establish any committees of its members and may form joint committees for
the scrutiny of legislation and performance of other functions, except voting on motions and Bills.
6 of 1995(7) In addition to any committee appointed under subsection (6), there shall be a
Public Appointments Committee, a Budget Committee and a Legal Affairs Committee of the National
Assembly which shall each—
(a)
be appointed by the National Assembly with proportionate representation from all
parties represented in the National Assembly;
(b)
be appointed within thirty days of the first sitting of the National Assembly after a
general election and thereafter annually; and
6 of 1995, 13 of 2001(c) perform such functions as are conferred on them by this Constitution or
by an Act or resolution of Parliament or by the Standing Orders of Parliament.