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BELIZE
Senate
PRESIDENCY OF THE PARLIAMENTARY CHAMBER

Compare data for parliamentary chambers in the Presidency module

Parliament name National Assembly
Structure of parliament Bicameral
Chamber name Senate
Related chamber (for bicameral parliaments) House of Representatives
APPOINTMENT AND TERM OF OFFICE
Title President of the Senate
Term - duration: 5 years (term of House)
- reasons for interruption of the term: resignation, death, dissolution of the Senate, if he becomes a Minister, if he ceases to be a citizen of Belize or is disqualified by virtue of Section 58(1) of the Belize Constitution
Appointment - elected by all Senators
- election is held at the first sitting of the newly elected Senate
- before Members are sworn in
Eligibility - any citizen of Belize who satisfies the qualifications required may be a candidate
Voting system - formal vote by simple majority
- one round by voice vote
Procedures / results - the Clerk presides over the Senate during the voting
- the Clerk supervises the voting
- the Clerk announces the results without any delay
- the results cannot be challenged
STATUS
Status - ranks sixth in the hierarchy of State
- comes after the Speaker of the House of Representatives in the order of precedence
- both Presiding Officers preside together over the joint sitting of both Chambers
- in the absence of the President, the Vice-President can assume his/her role and functions
Board
Material facilities - salary of $ 11,520 p.a Bze dollars
+ special allowance of $ 2,808 p a Bze dollars
FUNCTIONS
Organization of parliamentary business - convenes sessions
- establishes and modifies the agenda
- organizes the debates and sets speaking time
- examines the admissibility of bills and amendments
- refers texts to a committee for study
- examines the admissibility of request for setting up committees and/or committees of enquiry, proposes or decides on the setting up of such committees
- is entitled to appoint special select committees
Chairing of public sittings - can open, adjourn and close sittings by order of the Senate
- ensures respect for provisions of the Constitution and Standing Orders
- makes announcements concerning the Senate
- takes disciplinary measures in the event of disturbance, and lifts such measures
- establishes the list of speakers, gives and withdraws permission to speak (the Member who catches the President's exe would have the floor)
- establishes the order in which amendments are taken up (last amendments debated first)
- calls for a vote (collection of voices and by division)
- checks the quorum
- authenticates the adopted texts and the records of debates
- interprets the rules or other regulations governing the life of the Senate
Special powers - recruits, assigns and promotes staff
- is responsible for safety, and in this capacity, can call the police in the event of disturbance in the Senate
Speaking and voting rights, other functions NA (no information received)

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