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NEPAL
Rastriya Sabha (National Assembly)
PRESIDENCY OF THE PARLIAMENTARY CHAMBER

Compare data for parliamentary chambers in the Presidency module

Parliament name (generic / translated) Sanghiya Sansad / Federal Parliament
Structure of parliament Bicameral
Chamber name (generic / translated) Rastriya Sabha / National Assembly
Related chamber (for bicameral parliaments) Pratinidhi Sabha / House of Representatives
APPOINTMENT AND TERM OF OFFICE
Title Chairperson of the National Assembly
Term - duration: 6 years (term of the National Assembly)
- reasons for interruption of the term: resignation, vote of no confidence, death, dissolution of the National Assembly

Appointment - elected by all Members of the National Assembly
- the election is held at the start of the new legislature
- after the Members have been sworn in
Eligibility - any Member may be a candidate, but a formal notification of candidature is required
- notification of candidature must be made at the latest by 5 p.m. on the day preceding the election
- any Member may give notice addressed to the Secretary-General of a motion that another Member be chosen as Chairman; all motions are discussed in plenary in order of the filing of motions
Voting system - formal vote by secret ballot
- an absolute majority is required
Procedures / results - the senior Member presides over the National Assembly during the voting
- the service of the secretariat in charge of bills supervises the voting
- the senior Member announces the results without delay
- the results may be challenged
STATUS
Status - ranks fifth in the hierarchy of the State
- the Speaker of the House of Representatives has precedence over the Chairman of the National Council
- represents the Council with the authorities
- is an ex officio member of certain constitutional bodies outside Parliament
- represents the Council in international bodies
- in the absence of the Chairman, the Deputy Chairman can assume his/her role and functions
Board
Material facilities - allowance
+ expense allowance
- official residence
- official car
- secretariat
- household staff
- bodyguards
FUNCTIONS
Organization of parliamentary business - can modify the agenda
- organizes the debates and sets speaking time
- examines the admissibility of bills and amendments
Chairing of public sittings - can open, adjourn and close sittings
- ensures respect for provisions of the Constitution and Standing Orders
- makes announcements concerning the Council
- takes disciplinary measures in the event of disturbance, and lifts such measures
- establishes the list of speakers, gives and withdraws permission to speak
- establishes the order in which amendments are taken up and selects which amendments are to be debated
- calls for a vote, decides how it is to be carried out, verifies the voting procedure and cancels a vote in the event of irregularities
- checks the quorum
- authenticates the texts adopted and the records of debates
- interprets the rules or other regulations governing the life of the Council
- has discretionary power to give the floor outside the agenda and thus organizes impromptu debates

Special powers - makes a recommendation for the appointment of the Clerk
- plays an important role in the organization of the services of Parliament
- is responsible for relations with foreign Parliaments
- is responsible for safety, and in this capacity, can call the police in the event of disturbance in the Chamber

Speaking and voting rights, other functions - provides guidelines for the interpretation or completion of the text under discussion
- only takes part in voting in case of a tie
- intervenes in the parliamentary oversight procedure

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