Parliament Awaits First Sitting Confirmation

Parliament is awaiting confirmation for the first sitting of the new coalition government.

A confirmation will be posted on Facebook, a post from the official Parliament page has said.

Additionally, the order of business for the first meeting of Parliament include:

• Secretary-General to Parliament reads prayer;

• Secretary-General to Parliament reads the President

• proclamation summoning Parliament to meet;

• Secretary-General to Parliament lays the names of the members elected to serve;

• The members are called in alphabetical order to take the oath;

• Parliament elects a Speaker in accordance with the Standing Order 17;

• The Speaker assumes office;

• The Speaker takes the Chair;

• Parliament elects a Deputy Speaker;

• The Deputy Speaker assumes office

According to Section 93 (3) of the Constitution, if no one political party has won more than 50 per cent of the total number of seats in Parliament, then, at the first sitting of Parliament, the Speaker must call for nomination from members of parliament.

If only one person is nominated and seconded, then that person becomes the Prime Minister by taking oath before the President.

If more than one person is nominated and seconded, the Speaker must conduct a vote.

In the following order:

• If, after the first vote, a person who is nominated has the support of more than 50 per cent of MPs, then that person becomes the Prime Minister by taking oath before the President.

• If, after the first vote, no person who is nominated receives the support of more than 50 per cent of MPs, a second vote must be held within 24 hours of the first vote.

• If, after the second vote, a person who is nominated has the support of more than 50 per cent of MPs, then that person becomes the Prime Minister by taking oath before the President.

• If, after the second vote, no person who is nominated receives the support of more than 50 per cent of MPs, a third vote must be held within 24 hours of the second vote.

• If, after the third vote, a person who is nominated has the support of more than 50 per cent of MPs, then that person becomes the Prime Minister by taking oath before the President.

• If, after the third vote, no person receives the support of more than 50 per cent of MPs, the Speaker shall notify the President in writing of the inability of Parliament to appoint a Prime Minister, and the President shall, within 24 hours of the notification, dissolve Parliament and issue the Writ for a General Election to take place in accordance with the Constitution.

Story by: josefa.babitu@fijisun.com.fj