Fiji 2013 Constitution - Page 4 of 14

Table of Contents

CHAPTER 3. PARLIAMENT

Part A. LEGISLATIVE AUTHORITY

46. Legislative authority and power of Parliament

The authority and power to make laws for the State is vested in Parliament consisting of the members of Parliament and the President, and is exercised through the enactment of Bills passed by Parliament and assented to by the President.
No person or body other than Parliament has authority to make any law in Fiji, except under authority conferred by this Constitution or by a written law.

47. Exercise of legislative powers

Any member of Parliament may introduce a Bill in Parliament, but only the Minister responsible for finance, or another Minister authorised by Cabinet, may introduce a Money Bill, as described in subsection (4).
Parliament may proceed to consider any Bill in accordance with its standing orders, which must provide-
1. a structured process for the introduction, deliberation, amendment and enactment of Bills; and
2. sufficient time to elapse between the steps in the process for members and committees to give due consideration to each Bill.
A Bill may proceed more quickly than permitted by the standing orders if-
1. when the Bill was introduced, the mover requested that Parliament approve consideration of the Bill without delay; and
2. a majority of the members of Parliament voted in support of that request.
In this section, a Money Bill is any Bill that-
1. imposes, increases, alters, remits, grants exemptions from, reduces or abolishes taxes;
2. imposes charges on a public fund or varies or repeals any of those charges;
3. appropriates public money or otherwise relates to public moneys;
4. raises or guarantees any loan, or its repayment;
5. deals with the receipt, custody, investment, issue or audit of money; or
6. deals with anything incidental to those matters.

48. Presidential assent

When a Bill has been passed by Parliament, the Speaker must present it to the President for assent.
Within 7 days after receipt of a Bill, the President must provide his or her assent.
If the President does not assent to a Bill within the period set out in subsection (2), the Bill will be taken to have been assented to on the expiry of that period.

49. Coming into force of laws

Within 7 days after a Bill has been assented to, the Attorney-General must publish the Bill in the Gazette as an Act of Parliament.
An Act of Parliament comes into force-
1. on a date determined by or in accordance with the Act; or
2. on the 7th day after its publication in the Gazette, if the Act does not determine a date or does not provide for a date to be determined.

50. Regulations and similar laws

No person may make regulations or issue any other instrument having the force of law, except as expressly authorised by this Constitution or a written law.
A person making any regulations or issuing any instrument having the force of law must, so far as practicable, provide reasonable opportunity for public participation in the development and review of the law before it is made.

51. Parliamentary authority over international treaties and conventions

An international treaty or convention binds the State only after it has been approved by Parliament.

Part B. COMPOSITION

52. Members of Parliament

The members of Parliament shall be chosen by secret ballot in free and fair elections administered by the Electoral Commission, in accordance with this Constitution and any written law governing elections.

53. Proportional representation system

The election of members of Parliament is by a multi-member open list system of proportional representation, under which each voter has one vote, with each vote being of equal value, in a single national electoral roll comprising all the registered voters.
Subject to subsections (3) and (4), in each general election of members of Parliament, the seats in Parliament must be awarded to candidates in proportion to-
1. the total number of votes cast for each political party contesting the general election, which shall be determined by totaling the number of votes cast for each candidate of that political party; and
2. the total number of votes cast for each independent candidate, if any, provided however that an independent candidate shall only be eligible to be awarded one seat in Parliament.
A political party or an independent candidate shall not qualify for any seat in Parliament unless the political party or the independent candidate receives at least 5% of the total number of votes cast.
A written law shall make provisions relating to the election of members of Parliament, including prescribing rules for awarding seats in Parliament under subsection (2), that accord with an internationally accepted method for awarding seats to candidates within an open list system of proportional representation.

54. Composition of Parliament

For the first general election of members of Parliament held under this Constitution, Parliament shall consist of 50 members, elected in accordance with this Constitution.
For each general election of members of Parliament after the first general election held under this Constitution, the Electoral Commission shall, at least one year before any such general election, review the composition of Parliament and may, if necessary, increase or decrease the total number of members of Parliament to ensure that, as far as practicable, at the date of any such review, the ratio of the number of members of Parliament to the population of Fiji is the same as the ratio of the number of members of Parliament to the population of Fiji at the date of the first general election held under this Constitution.
In conducting a review under subsection (2), the Electoral Commission shall have regard to the population of Fiji as ascertained from the most recent census, the Register of Voters or any other official information available.
If the Electoral Commission makes a determination to alter the composition of Parliament in exercise of its powers under subsection (2), then the composition of Parliament shall, for the purpose of the general election of members of Parliament to be held after the date of the determination, be deemed to be amended to such number of members as determined by the Electoral Commission.
A written law may make further provisions to give effect to the review under subsection (2).

55. Voter qualification and registration

Every citizen who is or will be the age of 18 years and over on or before the date of the issue of the writ for the next election of members to Parliament, has the right to be registered as a voter, in the manner and form prescribed by a written law governing elections or registration of voters.
A person who-
1. is serving a sentence of imprisonment of 12 months or longer imposed by a court in Fiji or by a court of another country;
2. is under a law in force in Fiji, adjudged or declared to be of unsound mind; or
3. is serving a period of disqualification from registration as a voter under a law relating to electoral offences,
does not have the right to be registered as a voter.
A person who is registered as a voter and who, after his or her registration as a voter-
1. is serving a sentence of imprisonment of 12 months or longer imposed by a court in Fiji or by a court of another country;
2. is under a law in force in Fiji, adjudged or declared to be of unsound mind; or
3. is serving a period of disqualification from registration as a voter under a law relating to electoral offences,
ceases to be a registered voter.
Every person who is registered as a voter has the right to vote in the election of members of Parliament.
The Electoral Commission must maintain a single, national common Register of Voters.
Every citizen who is registered as a voter and who is-
1. resident in Fiji on the day of the elections is entitled to vote in that election; or
2. not a resident of Fiji or is not present in Fiji on the day of the elections, but is the holder of a valid Fijian passport, is entitled to vote to the extent provided in any written law governing elections.

56. Candidates for election to Parliament

A candidate for election to Parliament must be either nominated by a registered political party or nominated as an independent candidate in accordance with the laws governing elections.
A person may be a candidate for election to Parliament only if the person-
1. is a citizen of Fiji, and does not hold citizenship of any other country;
2. is registered on the Register of Voters;
3. is ordinarily resident in Fiji for at least 2 years immediately before being nominated;
4. is not an undischarged bankrupt;
5. is not a member of the Electoral Commission, and has not been a member of that Commission at any time during the 4 years immediately before being nominated;
6. is not subject to a sentence of imprisonment when nominated;
7. has not, at any time during the 8 years immediately before being nominated, been convicted of any offence under any law for which the maximum penalty is a term of imprisonment of 12 months or more; and
8. has not been found guilty of any offence under a law relating to elections, registration of political parties or registration of voters.
The total number of candidates which a political party may nominate for any general election must not be more than the total number of seats in Parliament, and the total number of candidates which a political party may nominate for any by-election must not be more than the total number of vacant seats in Parliament for which the by- election is being held.
A written law may make provision relating to the nomination of candidates for election to Parliament.
Every candidate, and every political party nominating a candidate, must comply with any written law governing elections.

57. Candidates who are public officers

A person who holds a public office is deemed to have vacated that office at the time at which his or her signed nomination as a candidate for election to Parliament is delivered to the relevant returning officer or to the person who under the laws governing elections is authorised to receive nominations of candidates.
A person who has held office as a member of the Electoral Commission or as the Supervisor of Elections is ineligible to be nominated as a candidate for election to Parliament for 4 years after ceasing to hold that office.
For the purposes of this section, “public office” means-
1. any office in, or as a member of, a statutory authority, a commission, or a board established by or continued in existence by this Constitution or any written law;
2. an office in respect of which this Constitution makes provision;
3. an office established by written law;
4. an office of a judicial officer or an office of any court or tribunal established by this Constitution or any written law;
5. any office in a State service, including public service and the disciplined force;
6. any office in a trade union registered under the Employment Relations Promulgation 2007 or any other written law (whether elected or appointed to that office, and including any position or arrangement under which a person receives remuneration, salary, allowances or fees from a trade union);
7. any office in any federation, congress, council or affiliation of trade unions (whether elected or appointed to that office, and including any position or arrangement under which a person receives remuneration, salary, allowances or fees from any federation, congress, council or affiliation of trade unions); or
8. any office in any federation, congress, council or affiliation of employers (whether elected or appointed to that office, and including any position or arrangement under which a person receives remuneration, salary, allowances or fees from any federation, congress, council or affiliation of employers).
Notwithstanding anything contained in subsection (3), for the purposes of this section, “public office” does not include the office of the Prime Minister, the office of a Minister, the office of the Deputy Speaker, the office of the Leader of the Opposition or an office held by a Minister by virtue of his or her appointment as a Minister.

58. Term of Parliament

Subject to this section, Parliament, unless sooner dissolved in accordance with this Constitution, continues for 4 years from the date of its first meeting after a general election of the members of Parliament.
The President may, acting on the advice of the Prime Minister, from time to time in the like manner prorogue Parliament by proclamation.
The President may, acting on the advice of the Prime Minister, dissolve Parliament by proclamation, but only after a lapse of 3 years and 6 months from the date of its first meeting after a general election of the members of Parliament.

59. Writ for election

The writ for the election of members of Parliament shall be issued by the President on the advice of the Prime Minister.
The writ for a general election must be issued within 7 days from the expiry of Parliament or from the proclamation of its dissolution by the President.
The writ for a by-election must be issued within 7 days from the date when a seat or seats in Parliament become vacant, or within 7 days from the date of determination by the Court of Disputed Returns if an application is made to it under section 63(5) or section 66.

60. Date of nomination

The last day for the receipt of a nomination of a candidate for election to Parliament is 14 days after the date of the issue of the writ.

61. Date of polling

Polling commences no later than 30 days after the last day for the receipt of nominations.

62. Early dissolution of Parliament

Notwithstanding section 58(3), the President must declare Parliament dissolved early if Parliament has adopted a resolution to dissolve early, supported by at least two-thirds of the members of Parliament.
A resolution for early dissolution of Parliament under subsection (1) may be moved-
1. only on the grounds that the Government lacks the confidence of Parliament;
2. only by the Leader of the Opposition; and
3. only if Parliament has first rejected a motion of no confidence in the Prime Minister under section 94.
No motion for early dissolution may be moved within-
1. 18 months immediately after the beginning of Parliament’s term; or
2. 6 months immediately before the end of Parliament’s ordinary 4 year term.

63. Vacation of seat of member of Parliament

The seat of a member of Parliament becomes vacant if the member-
1. dies, or resigns by giving to the Speaker a signed resignation;
2. with the member’s consent, becomes the holder of a public office (as defined in section 57)
3. ceases to have the right to be a registered voter in an election to Parliament;
4. ceases to have the right to be nominated as a candidate for election to Parliament under section 56;
5. is an undischarged bankrupt;
6. is absent from 2 consecutive meetings of Parliament without having obtained the permission of the Speaker;
7. resigns from the political party for which he or she was a candidate at the time he or she was elected to Parliament;
8. votes or abstains from voting in Parliament contrary to any direction issued by the political party for which he or she was a candidate at the time he or she was elected to Parliament, without obtaining the prior permission of the political party; or
9. is expelled from the political party for which he or she was a candidate at the time he or she was elected to Parliament and-
  1. the expulsion was in accordance with the rules of the political party relating to party discipline; and
  2. the expulsion did not relate to any action taken by the member in his or her capacity as a member of a committee of Parliament.
For the purposes of subsection (1)(g), the seat of the member of Parliament becomes vacant only upon receipt by the Speaker of a written notification signed by the leader and the secretary of the political party notifying the Speaker that the member has resigned from the political party.
For the purposes of subsection (1)(h), the seat of the member of Parliament becomes vacant only upon receipt by the Speaker of a written notification signed by the leader and the secretary of the political party notifying the Speaker that the member has voted or abstained from voting in Parliament contrary to any direction issued by the political party, without obtaining the prior permission of the political party.
For the purposes of subsection (1)(i), the seat of the member of Parliament becomes vacant only upon receipt by the Speaker of a written notification signed by the leader and the secretary of the political party notifying the Speaker that the member has been expelled from the political party.
If a member of Parliament whose seat becomes vacant under subsection (1) seeks to question or challenge the validity of his or her seat in Parliament becoming vacant, the member must, within 7 days of the member’s seat becoming vacant, by way of a proceeding, make an application to the Court of Disputed Returns for a declaration on whether the seat of the member has become vacant.
Any application made to the Court of Disputed Returns under this section must be determined by the Court of Disputed Returns within 21 days of the date when the application is made to it.
A determination by the Court of Disputed Returns under this section is final and not subject to any appeal.
If the member of Parliament whose seat becomes vacant under subsection (1) makes an application to the Court of Disputed Returns under subsection (5), the member is taken to be suspended from Parliament pending the determination by the Court of Disputed Returns.

64. Next candidate to fill vacancy

Subject to subsection (3), if the seat held by a member of Parliament who is a member of a political party becomes vacant, then the Electoral Commission must award that seat to the candidate of the same party who, in the most recent general election, is the highest ranked out of those candidates of that party who did not get elected to Parliament and who is still available to serve at the time of the vacancy (as may be determined by a written law governing elections), provided however that if no candidate in the most recent general election from that same political party is available, then a by-election must be held to fill the vacancy.
Subject to subsection (3), if the seat held by a member of Parliament who is an independent member becomes vacant during the term of Parliament, then a by-election must be held to fill the vacancy.
If the seat held by a member of Parliament becomes vacant more than 3 years and 6 months after the first meeting of Parliament following the most recent general election, then the seat so vacated shall remain vacant until the next general election.

65. Vacancies in membership

Parliament may act despite a vacancy in its membership, and the presence at, or the participation in, its proceedings of a person not entitled to be a member does not invalidate the proceedings.

66. Court of Disputed Returns

The High Court is the Court of Disputed Returns and has original jurisdiction to hear and determine-
1. by way of a petition, a question whether a person has been validly elected as a member of Parliament; and
2. by way of a proceeding, an application for a declaration on whether the seat of a member of Parliament has become vacant.
The validity of an election of a person as a member of Parliament may only be disputed by petition addressed to the Court of Disputed Returns and not otherwise.
The petition under subsection (1)(a)-
1. may only be brought by-
  1. a person who had the right to vote in the election concerned;
  2. a person who was a candidate in the election concerned; or
  3. the Attorney-General; and
2. except if corrupt practice is alleged, must be brought within 21 days of the declarations of the poll.
If the petitioner in a petition under subsection (1)(a) is not the Attorney-General, the Attorney-General may intervene in the petition.
Proceedings pursuant to subsection (1)(b) may only be brought by-
1. a member of Parliament;
2. a registered voter; or
3. the Attorney-General.
If the proceedings under subsection (1)(b) are not brought by the Attorney-General, the Attorney-General may intervene in the proceedings.
Notwithstanding anything contained in subsection (5), proceedings under subsection (1)(b) cannot be brought under this section by the member of Parliament whose seat is the subject of the proceeding, and any proceeding by any such member which seeks to question or challenge the validity of his or her seat in Parliament becoming vacant must only be brought under section 63.
The Court of Disputed Returns must make a determination on any petition or proceeding within 21 days of the date when the petition or proceeding is brought before it.
A determination by the Court of Disputed Returns under this section is final and not subject to any appeal.

67. Sessions of Parliament

After a general election of members of Parliament, the Parliament shall be summoned to meet by the President no later than 14 days after the announcement of the results of the general election.
At the first meeting, the agenda of business shall include-
1. swearing-in of members, presided over by the Secretary-General to Parliament;
2. the election of the Speaker in accordance with section 77, presided over by the Secretary-General to Parliament;
3. swearing-in of the Speaker, presided over by the Secretary-General to Parliament;
4. the election and swearing-in of the Deputy Speaker, presided over by the Speaker;
5. in the event that the Prime Minister has not assumed office under section 93(2), the appointment of the Prime Minister by the members of Parliament in accordance with section 93(3); and
6. the election of the Leader of the Opposition, presided over by the Speaker, and conducted in accordance with section 78.
Other sessions of Parliament commence on a date appointed by the President on the advice of the Prime Minister but no longer than 6 months must elapse between the end of one session and the start of another.
If-
1. Parliament is not in session; and
2. the President receives a request in writing from not less than one-third of the members of Parliament requesting that Parliament be summoned to meet to consider without delay a matter of public importance,
the President shall summon Parliament to meet.
If-
1. Parliament is in session but more than 2 months have elapsed between the sitting of Parliament; and
2. the Speaker receives a request in writing from the Prime Minister or from not less than one-third of the members of Parliament requesting that a sitting be held to consider without delay a matter of public importance,
the Speaker must call a sitting of Parliament within one week of the date on which the request was made.
Subject to this section, the sittings of Parliament are held at such times and places as Parliament determines in accordance with its rules and orders.

68. Quorum

A sitting of Parliament may not begin, or continue, unless at least one- third of the members of Parliament are present.
A vote on a Bill may not be held in Parliament unless a majority of the members of Parliament are present.
The Speaker must adjourn a sitting if a quorum is not present.

69. Voting

Except as otherwise provided in this Constitution, any question proposed for decision in Parliament must be determined by a majority vote of the members present and voting.
On a question proposed for decision in Parliament-
1. the person presiding does not have a casting vote; and
2. in the case of an equality of votes, the question is deemed to be lost.
The person presiding must not be counted when considering the number of members for the purpose of voting, or determining if a quorum is present.

70. Committees

Parliament must, under its rules and orders, establish committees with the functions of scrutinising Government administration and examining Bills and subordinate legislation and such other functions as are specified from time to time in the rules and orders of Parliament.

71. Standing orders

Parliament may make standing orders and rules for the order and conduct of business and proceedings in Parliament and its committees and for the way in which its powers, privileges and immunities may be exercised and upheld.
Before the first sitting of the first Parliament elected under this Constitution, the Prime Minister shall, in consultation with the Attorney-General, prepare, and publish in the Gazette, the standing orders of Parliament, for adoption by Parliament at its first sitting.

72. Petitions, public access and participation

Parliament must-
1. conduct its business in an open manner, and hold its sittings and those of its committees, in public; and
2. facilitate public participation in the legislative and other processes of Parliament and its committees.
Parliament and its committees may not exclude the public, including any media, from any sitting unless, in exceptional circumstances, the Speaker has ordered the exclusion of the public on grounds that are reasonable and justifiable.

73. Powers, privileges, immunities and discipline

Every member of Parliament, and anyone else speaking in Parliament, has-
1. freedom of speech and debate in Parliament or its committees, subject to the standing orders; and
2. parliamentary privilege and immunity in respect of anything said in Parliament or its committees.
Parliament may prescribe the powers, privileges and immunities of members of Parliament and may make rules and orders for the discipline of members of Parliament.

74. Power to call for evidence

Parliament, and each of its committees, has the power to summon any person to appear before it for the purpose of giving evidence or providing information.
For the purposes of subsection (1), Parliament and each of its committees has the same powers as the High Court to-
1. enforce the attendance of witnesses and examine them on oath, affirmation or otherwise; and
2. compel the production of documents or other materials or information as required for its proceedings.

Part C. INSTITUTIONS AND OFFICES

75. Electoral Commission

The Electoral Commission established under the State Services Decree 2009 continues in existence.
The Commission has the responsibility for the registration of voters and the conduct of free and fair elections in accordance with the written law governing elections and any other relevant law, and in particular for-
1. the registration of citizens as voters, and the regular revision of the Register of Voters;
2. voter education;
3. the registration of candidates for election;
4. the settlement of electoral disputes, including disputes relating to or arising from nominations, but excluding election petitions and disputes subsequent to the declaration of election results; and
5. monitoring and enforcing compliance with any written law governing elections and political parties.
The Commission has such other functions as are conferred on it by this Constitution or a written law.
The Commission must make an annual report to the President concerning the operations of the Commission and must submit a copy of its annual report to Parliament.
The Commission may at other times make such reports to the President and Parliament as it thinks fit.
The Commission consists of a chairperson who is or is qualified to be a Judge, and 6 other members.
The chairperson and the members of the Commission shall be appointed by the President, on the advice of the Constitutional Offices Commission. Services Decree 2009 continues in existence.
A person is not qualified for appointment as a member if he or she is-
1. a member of Parliament;
2. the holder of a public office (other than an office of Judge);
3. a member of a local authority; or
4. a candidate for election to Parliament.

76. Supervisor of Elections

The office of the Supervisor of Elections established under the State
The Supervisor of Elections, acting under the direction of the Electoral Commission,-
1. administers the registration of voters for elections of members to Parliament;
2. conducts-
  1. elections of members of Parliament; and
  2. such other elections as Parliament prescribes; and
3. may perform such other functions as are conferred by written law.
The Supervisor of Elections must comply with any directions that the Electoral Commission gives him or her concerning the performance of his or her functions.
The Supervisor of Elections is appointed by the President on the advice of the Constitutional Offices Commission following consultation by the Constitutional Offices Commission with the Electoral Commission.

77. Speaker and Deputy Speaker of Parliament

At its first sitting after a general election, and whenever required to fill a vacancy, Parliament must elect, by simple majority vote-
1. a Speaker, who is not a member of Parliament but who is qualified to be a candidate for election as a member of Parliament; and
2. a Deputy Speaker from amongst the members of Parliament (excluding Ministers).
The Speaker and the Deputy Speaker assumes office by taking the oath or affirmation of allegiance and office set out in the Schedule, as administered by the Secretary-General to Parliament.
The Speaker shall preside over every sitting of Parliament.
The Deputy Speaker must perform the duties of the Speaker if the Speaker is absent from duty or from Fiji or is, for any other reason, unable to perform those duties.
If the Speaker or the Deputy Speaker is unable to perform the duties of the Speaker, the members of Parliament must elect one of their members to preside at meetings of Parliament.
The Speaker, Deputy Speaker, or any other person presiding at any time, in the performance of the functions of the Speaker-
1. is independent and subject only to this Constitution and any other law;
2. serves to secure the honour and dignity of Parliament;
3. is responsible for ensuring-
  1. the rights and privileges of all members; and
  2. public access to the proceedings of Parliament and its committees;
4. has authority to maintain order and decorum in Parliament, in accordance with its standing orders and parliamentary tradition; and
5. must act impartially, and without fear, favour or prejudice.
The office of the Speaker becomes vacant-
1. on the day immediately before the first meeting of Parliament after a general election; or
2. if, before that day, the Speaker-
  1. resign by giving to the President a written notice of resignation;
  2. becomes the holder of another public office;
  3. ceases to have the right to be registered as a voter in an election to Parliament;
  4. is absent from 2 consecutive meetings of Parliament; or
  5. is removed from office by a resolution supported by not less than two-thirds of the members of Parliament.
The office of the Deputy Speaker becomes vacant if the Deputy Speaker-
1. resigns by giving to the Speaker a written notice of resignation;
2. vacates his or her seat as a member of Parliament;
3. is appointed as a Minister; or
4. is removed from office by a resolution supported by not less than two thirds of the members of Parliament.

78. Leader of the Opposition

The members of Parliament who-
1. do not belong to the Prime Minister’s political party and are members of the opposition party or a coalition of opposition parties;
2. do not belong to any party which is in coalition with, or which supports, the Prime Minister’s political party; or
3. are independent candidates who do not support the Prime Minister or the Prime Minister’s political party,
must elect a person from amongst themselves to be the Leader of the Opposition, in accordance with this section.
At the first sitting of Parliament after a general election, the Speaker must call for nominations from those members of Parliament mentioned in subsection (1), and, if only one person is nominated and seconded, the Speaker shall declare that person elected as the Leader of the Opposition, but if more than one person is nominated and seconded, the Speaker must conduct a vote, as follows-
1. if after the first vote, any nominee has the support of the majority of the members of Parliament mentioned in subsection (1), the Speaker shall declare that person elected as the Leader of the Opposition; and
2. if no nominee in the first vote receives the support of the majority of the members of Parliament mentioned in subsection (1), a second vote must be held within 24 hours of the first vote and the nominee who has the support of the majority of the members of Parliament mentioned in subsection (1) in the second vote shall be declared by the Speaker as being elected as the Leader of the Opposition.
If after the second vote held under subsection (2), no person receives the support of the majority of the members of Parliament mentioned in subsection (1), the position of the Leader of the Opposition shall remain vacant until such time the majority of the members of Parliament mentioned in subsection (1) write to the Speaker requesting him or her to call for fresh nominations for the election of the Leader of the Opposition in accordance with the procedure set out in subsection (2).
If a majority of the members mentioned in subsection (1) consider that the person who is the Leader of the Opposition should no longer hold the position of the Leader of the Opposition, then they shall inform the Speaker of their decision and they may elect another member of Parliament mentioned in subsection (1), in accordance with the procedure set out in subsection (2).
Upon the expiry or dissolution of Parliament, the Leader of the Opposition continues in office until the next appointment of a Prime Minister.
If a Leader of the Opposition is unable to be elected in accordance with this section, then the provisions of this Constitution providing for any action by the Leader of the Opposition, including any advice, nomination or consultation of the Leader of the Opposition, are of no effect, and an appointment may be made or action may be taken under a provision of this Constitution without reference to the Leader of the Opposition.

79. Secretary-General to Parliament

This section establishes the office of the Secretary-General to Parliament.
The Secretary-General to Parliament shall be appointed by the President on the advice of the Constitutional Offices Commission.
The Secretary-General to Parliament has the same status as that of a permanent secretary and shall be responsible to the Speaker for the efficient, effective and economical management of Parliament.
The Secretary-General to Parliament is the principal procedural advisor to the Speaker, and to all members of Parliament and committees of Parliament.
The Secretary-General to Parliament is responsible for all the functions as may be conferred on him or her by the standing orders of Parliament.
In the performance of the functions or the exercise of the authority and powers, the Secretary-General to Parliament shall be independent and shall not be subject to the direction or control of any person or authority, except the Speaker, a court of law or as otherwise prescribed by written law.
The Secretary-General to Parliament shall have the authority to appoint, remove and discipline all staff (including administrative staff) in Parliament.
The Secretary-General to Parliament has the authority to determine all matters pertaining to the employment of all staff in Parliament, including-
1. the terms and conditions of employment;
2. the qualification requirements for appointment and the process to be followed for appointment, which must be an open, transparent and competitive selection process based on merit;
3. the salaries, benefits and allowances payable, in accordance with its budget as approved by Parliament; and
4. the total establishment or the total number of staff that are required to be appointed, in accordance with the budget as approved by Parliament.
The salaries, benefits and allowances payable to the Secretary-General to Parliament and any person employed in Parliament are a charge on the Consolidated Fund.
Parliament shall ensure that adequate funding and resources are made available to the Secretary-General to Parliament, to enable him or her to independently and effectively exercise the powers and perform the functions and duties of the Secretary-General to Parliament.

80. Remunerations

The remuneration, including salaries and allowances and benefits, payable to, the President, the Prime Minister, other Ministers, the Leader of the Opposition, the Speaker and the Deputy Speaker of Parliament and a member of Parliament shall be prescribed by a written law, and must not be varied to their disadvantage, except as part of an overall austerity reduction similarly applicable to all officers of the State.