| Parliament name (generic / translated) |
Chi Tshog / Parliament |
| Structure of parliament |
Bicameral |
| Chamber name (generic / translated) |
Gyelyong Tshogde / National Council |
| Related chamber (for bicameral parliaments) |
Tshogdu / National Assembly
|
| APPOINTMENT AND TERM OF OFFICE |
| Title |
Chairperson of the National Council |
| Term |
- Duration: 5 years (term of the National Council)
- Reasons for interruption of the term: resignation, loss of mandate as a member of the Chamber, dissolution of the National Council, impeachment, conviction for illegal activities, dismissal or removal by the Head of State, death.
- The Chairperson can be removed before the end of his/her mandate by the Head of State (Druk Gyalpo) if two-thirds of the members of the National Council vote to do so. |
| Appointment |
- The Chairperson is elected by members of the National Council at the first session. Thereafter, the Chairperson is officially appointed by the Head of State. |
| Eligibility |
- Only members of the Chamber are eligible.
- Former Chairpersons may seek re-election as Chairperson.
|
| Voting system |
- There is a formal notification process for the candidate:candidates must be endorsed by two members of the Council.
- The Chairperson is elected by secret ballot.
- A candidate who receives the largest number of votes. |
| Procedures / results |
- The Secretary General presides over the Chamber during the voting.
- The Secretary General supervises over the Chamber during the voting.
- The Secretary General announces the results. |
| STATUS |
| Status |
- The Chairperson of the Lower Chamber presides joint sittings of a bicameral Parliament.
- The Chairperson may not act as the Head of State.
- In the absence of the Chairperson, a Deputy Chairperson assumes his/her role and duties. |
| Board |
- The Chairperson is not assisted by a collegial body. |
| Material facilities |
- The allowance granted to a member of the National Council.
- A special allowance due to his/her position
- Official residence
- Official car
- Security protection |
| FUNCTIONS |
| Organization of parliamentary business |
The Chairperson may:
- convene sessions,
- establish and modify the agenda, i.e. the programme and schedule of work,
- organize the debates and set speaking time,
- refer a text to committee for study,
- examine the admissibility of request for setting up committees of enquiry,
- propose the setting up committees of enquiry,
- decide the setting up committees of enquiry,
- group amendments for debate and voting purposes,
- decide the admissibility of bills and amendments,
- give directives for the interpretation or completion of the text under discussion. |
| Chairing of public sittings |
The Chairperson may:
- open, adjourn and close sittings,
- interpret the rules or other regulations governing the functioning of the Chamber,
- ensure respect for provisions of the Constitution and the Standing Orders,
- make announcements concerning the Chamber,
- take disciplinary measures in the event of a disturbance and lift such measures,
- give and withdraw permission to speak,
- select which amendments are to be debated,
- establish the order in which amendments are taken up,
- call for a vote,
- decide how a vote will be carried out,
- verify the voting procedure,
- check the quorum,
- cancel a vote in the event of irregularities,
- authenticate the adopted texts and the records of debates,
- give the floor outside the agenda and thus organize impromptu debates. |
| Special powers |
The Chairperson may:
- represent the Chamber in relations with foreign Parliaments and bodies,
- be responsible for safety and discipline in the Chamber and may call in the police in the event of a dispute in the Chamber,
- organizes the services of the parliament.
The Chairperson must be consulted in the event of a dissolution of the Chamber. |
| Speaking and voting rights, other functions |
The Chairperson may only votes in the event of a tie. |
