(1) The members of
the House of Representatives shall, not later than fifteen days of the date of
holding of the first meeting of the House of Representatives, elect a Speaker and a
Deputy Speaker from amongst themselves.
(2) Election under clause (1) shall be so held that there is one woman
out of the Speaker and the Deputy Speaker, and the Speaker and the Deputy
Speaker of the House of Representatives shall be representatives from different
parties.
Provided that if there is no representation of more than one party in the
House of Representatives or no candidacy is filed by more than one party in spite
of representation, nothing shall prevent the members of the same party from being
the Speaker and the Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives.
(3) If the office of the Speaker or the Deputy Speaker falls vacant,the
members of the House of Representatives shall fill the vacancy by electing the
Speaker or Deputy Speaker from amongst themselves.
(4) The Deputy Speaker shall, in the absence of the Speaker, chairthe
House of Representatives.
(5) If election to the Speaker and the Deputy Speaker is not held or if
both the positions become vacant, the attending member who is by age the seniormost
shall chair the meeting of the House of Representatives.
(6) The office of the Speaker or Deputy Speaker of the House of
Representatives shall become vacant in any of the following circumstances:
(a) if he or she ceases to be a member of the House of Representatives,
Provided that, in the event of dissolution of the House of
Representatives, the Speaker and the Deputy Speaker of the House
of Representatives holding their respective offices shall continue in
office until the previous day of the filing of nominations for another
election to the House of Representatives,
(b) if he or she tenders resignation in writing,
(c) if a resolution is passed by a majority of two-thirds of the total
number of the then members of the House of Representatives that his
or her conduct is not compatible with his or her office.
(7) The Vice-Chairperson of the National Assembly shall chair a
meeting at which deliberations are to be held on a resolution that the conduct of
the Chairperson of the National Assembly is not compatible with his or her office.
The Chairperson of the National Assembly may take part and vote in the
deliberations on such resolution.