Office of the Hon Deputy Speaker
Office of the Hon Deputy Speaker
HON. Tsitsi Gezi,
MP
The Deputy Speaker is elected under section 127(1) of the Constitution, which provides that “As soon as practicable after the election of the Speaker following a general election, the National Assembly elects one of its Members to be the Deputy Speaker.”
Duties of the Deputy Speaker
The Deputy Speaker’s primary role is to assist and deputise the Speaker of the National Assembly. He / She presides over sittings of the National Assembly during the absence of the Speaker and exercises the same powers as the Speaker while presiding. This includes maintaining discipline and order in the house, ensuring compliance with Standing Orders and regulating debates and proceedings.
The Chairperson of Committees, who is usually the Deputy Speaker, has the principal responsibility of chairing proceedings in the Committee of the Whole House when bills are considered in detail and amendments are made in the House. The Chairperson and Temporary Chairpersons (5 are nominated by the Speaker) may be asked by the Speaker to take the Chair of the House from time to time. The Chairperson’s authority in Committee is less than of the Speaker in the House. In the case of disorderly behaviour, the Chairperson cannot take any action other than naming a member. The case is then considered in the House with the Speaker in the Chair. If a ruling from the Chairperson is objected to, the matter may be reported to the Speaker who will make a ruling. While in Committee the Chairperson only has a casting vote.
