54

Article 54 1. Where notice in writing signed by not less than half the number of the members of the National Assembly of a motion alleging that the President has committed a violation of this Constitution or a gross misconduct and specifying the particulars of the allegation and proposing that the Constitutional Court investigates the allegations is given to the Speaker, the Speaker shall - a. if the National Assembly is then sitting or has been summoned to meet within five days, cause the motion to be considered by the Assembly within seven days of the notice; or b. if the National Assembly is not sitting, summon the Assembly to meet on a date within fourteen days of the notice and cause the motion to be considered at that meeting. 2. Where a motion under clause (1) is proposed for consideration by the National Assembly, the Assembly shall not debate the motion but the Speaker shall forthwith cause a vote to be taken on the motion and, if the motion is supported by the votes of not less than two-thirds of the number of its members, shall declare the motion to be passed. 3. Where a motion is declared to be passed under clause (2) - a. the Speaker shall deliver a copy of the motion to the President and the Chief Justice; b. the Chief Justice shall place the matter before the Constitutional Court; c. the constitutional Court shall investigate the matter and report to the Speaker whether it finds that the particulars of the allegation specified in the motion constitute a prima facie case for the removal of the President; and d. the Constitutional Court in investigating the matter under paragraph (c) may summon and examine any witnesses or otherwise exercise all the powers of the Supreme Court. 4. The President shall have the right to appear and be represented before the Constitutional Court during its investigation of the allegation. 5. Where the Constitutional Court reports to the Speaker that the Court finds that the particulars of an allegation against the President specified in the motion do not constitute a prima facie case for the removal of the President, no further proceedings shall be taken under this Article in respect of that allegation. 6. Where the Constitutional Court reports to the Speaker that the Court finds that the particulars of an allegation against the President specified in the motion constitute a prima facie case for the removal of the President, the Speaker shall, within ten days after a report is made to the Speaker pursuant to clause (3)(c) - a. where the National Assembly is sitting or has been summoned to meet within five days, cause the findings of the Court to be considered, as soon as is practicable, by the Assembly; or b. where the National Assembly is not sitting, immediately summon the National Assembly and cause the findings of the Court to be considered by the Assembly. 7. Where the National Assembly when it meets pursuant to clause (6) resolves by the votes of not less than two-thirds of the number of its members that the finding of the Constitutional Court be adopted, the President shall cease to hold office on the passing of the resolution.