83

Article 83 1. There shall be a Speaker and a Deputy Speaker of the National Assembly, each of whom shall be elected by the National Assembly, in accordance with the Standing Orders, or, in the absence of Standing orders, in accordance with the procedures approved by the Assembly, from among the members of the Assembly. 2. The National Assembly shall not transact any business, other than the election of the Speaker, at any time when the office of Speaker is vacant. 3. A person holding the office of Speaker or Deputy Speaker shall vacate that office - a. when the National Assembly first meets after the holding of a general election; b. where the person ceases to be a member of the National Assembly; c. where the National Assembly passes a resolution supported by the votes of not less than two-thirds of the number of members of the Assembly requiring the person to vacate the office of Speaker or Deputy Speaker, as the case may be. 4. A person holding the office of Speaker or Deputy Speaker may, by notice in writing addressed to the National Assembly, resign from office and the office shall become vacant when the Clerk to the Assembly receives the notice. 5. where the office of Speaker or Deputy Speaker becomes vacant, the National Assembly shall, unless it is sooner dissolved, elect another member of the Assembly to fill the vacancy at its next sitting after the occurrence of the vacancy or as soon as is practicable thereafter. 6. An Act may provide for the salary, allowances and gratuity of the Speaker and Deputy Speaker. 7. The salary, allowances or gratuity payable to the Speaker and Deputy Speaker shall be a charge on the consolidated Fund. 8. The Speaker and Deputy Speaker shall, before assuming the functions of their office, take and subscribe the oath of allegiance and such other oath as maybe prescribed by law.