Page:Constitution of the Republic of South Africa 1996 from Government Gazette.djvu/29



Chapter 4—Parliament

The Acting President must dissolve the National Assembly if —

there is a vacancy in the office of President; and the Assembly fails to elect a new President within 30 days after the vacancy occurred.

Sittings and recess periods

After an election, the first sitting of the National Assembly must take place at a time and on a date determined by the President of the Constitutional Court, but not more than 14 days after the election result has been declared. The Assembly may determine the time and duration of its other sittings and its recess periods.

The President may summon the National Assembly to an extraordinary sitting at any time to conduct special business.

Sittings of the National Assembly are permitted at places other than the seat of Parliament only on the grounds of public interest, security or convenience, and if provided for in the rules and orders of the Assembly.

Speaker and Deputy Speaker

At the first sitting after its election, or when necessary to fill a vacancy, the National Assembly must elect a Speaker and a Deputy Speaker from among its members.

The President of the Constitutional Court must preside over the election of a Speaker, or designate another judge to do so. The Speaker presides over the election of a Deputy Speaker.

The procedure set out in Part A of Schedule 3  applies to the election of the Speaker and the Deputy Speaker.

The National Assembly may remove the Speaker or Deputy Speaker from office by resolution. A majority of the members of the Assembly must be present when the resolution is adopted.

In terms of its rules and orders, the National Assembly may elect from among its members other presiding officers to assist the Speaker and the Deputy Speaker.

Decisions

Except where the Constitution provides otherwise —

a majority of the members of the National Assembly must be present before a vote may be taken on a Bill or an amendment to a Bill; at least one third of the members must be present before a vote may be taken on any other question before the Assembly; and all questions before the Assembly are decided by a majority of the votes cast.