Page:Constitution of Bhutan 2008 English.pdf/31

 Each Member of Parliament shall have one vote. In case of equal votes, the Speaker or the Chairperson shall cast the deciding vote. The presence of not less than two-thirds of the total number of members of each House respectively shall constitute a quorum for a sitting of the National Council or the National Assembly. The proceedings of Parliament shall be conducted in public. However, the Speaker or the Chairperson may exclude the press and the public from all or any part of the proceedings if there is a compelling need to do so in the interests of public order, national security or any other situation, where publicity would seriously prejudice public interest. The Speaker shall preside over the proceedings of a joint sitting and the venue for the joint sitting of the Houses shall be the hall of the National Assembly. When the office of a member of Parliament becomes vacant for any reason other than the expiration of term, an election of a member to fill the vacancy shall be held within ninety days as from the date of the vacancy. The members of Parliament shall take an Oath or Affirmation of Office, as provided for in the Third Schedule of this Constitution, before assuming their responsibilities. The Prime Minister, the Ministers, the Speaker, the Deputy Speaker, the Chairperson and Deputy Chairperson of the National Council shall take an Oath or Affirmation of Secrecy, as provided for in the Fourth Schedule of this Constitution, before assuming office. Rh