Presidential assent and referral

Presidential assent and referral (1) Where a Bill is presented to the President for assent, the President shall, within twenty-one days after receipt of the Bill— (a) assent to the Bill; or (b) refer the Bill to the National Assembly for reconsideration, indicating any reservation that the President has concerning the Bill. (2) Where the President refers the Bill to the National Assembly for reconsideration, in accordance with clause (1)(b), the National Assembly may— (a) amend the Bill taking into account the President’s reservation; or (b) pass the Bill, without amendment, by a vote supported by at least two-thirds of the Members of Parliament. (3) Where the National Assembly passes the Bill with amendments, in accordance with clause (2) (a), the Speaker shall submit the Bill to the President for assent. (4) Where the National Assembly passes the Bill, in accordance with clause (2) (b)— (a) the Speaker shall, within seven days of passing the Bill, resubmit the Bill to the President; and (b) the President shall, within seven days of receipt of the Bill, assent to the Bill. (5) Where the National Assembly fails to pass the Bill, in accordance with clause (2) (b), the Bill shall not be presented to the National Assembly in that session. (6) Where the President does not assent to a Bill within the periods prescribed in clauses (1) and (4), the Bill shall be considered assented to upon the expiry of those periods.