Page:Vanuatu constitution.pdf/10



CONSTITUTION OF THE REPUBLIC OF VANUATU (3) Every proposed bill and every proposed regulation or other instrument having the force of law relating to the registration of electors for the election of members of Parliament, the National Council of Chiefs, local government and municipal councils or to the election of such members shall be referred to the Commission and to the Principal Electoral Officer at such time as shall give them sufficient opportunity to make comments on it before the bill is introduced in Parliament or, as the case may be, before the regulation or instrument is made.

(4) The Electoral Commission may lay before Parliament such reports concerning the matters under their supervision, or any draft bill or instrument that is referred to them, as they may think fit.

21. Procedure of Parliament

(1) Parliament shall meet twice a year in ordinary session.

(2) Parliament may meet in extraordinary session at the request of the majority of its members, the Speaker or the Prime Minister.

(3) Unless otherwise provided in the Constitution, Parliament shall make its decisions by public vote by a simple majority of the members voting.

(4) Unless otherwise provided in the Constitution, the quorum shall be two-thirds of the members of Parliament. If there is no such quorum at the first sitting in any session Parliament shall meet 3 days later, and a simple majority of members shall then constitute a quorum.

(5) Parliament shall make its own rules of procedure.

22. Speaker and Deputy Speakers

(1) At its first sitting after any general election Parliament shall elect a Speaker and one or more Deputy Speakers.

(2) The Speaker shall preside at sittings of Parliament and shall be responsible for maintaining order.

(3) The functions of Speaker may be exercised by a Deputy Speaker.

23. Committees

Parliament may establish committees and appoint members to them.

24. Proceedings to be public

Unless otherwise provided proceedings of Parliament shall be held in public.

25. Public finance

(1) Every year the Government shall present a bill for a budget to Parliament for its approval.

(2) No taxation shall be imposed or altered and no expenditure of public funds shall be incurred except by or under a law passed by Parliament. Rh