Section 48: The Speaker.

(1) The Speaker of Parliament shall be elected by the Members of Parliament from among persons who are Members of Parliament or who are qualified to be elected as such, Provided that a person shall be eligible for election as Speaker of Parliament notwithstanding that such person is a Public Officer or a Judge of the High Court, a Justice of Appeal or a Justice of the Supreme Court provided that such person, if elected, shall retire from the public service on the day of his election with full benefits. (2) The Speaker shall be elected by a resolution in favour of which there are cast the votes of not less than two-thirds of the Members of Parliament; Provided that if three successive resolutions proposing the election of a Speaker fail to receive the votes of twothirds of the Members of Parliament, the Speaker shall be elected by a resolution passed by a simple majority of all the Members of Parliament. (3) No person shall be elected as Speaker— a) if he is a Member of the armed forces; or b) if he is a Minister or Deputy Minister or Parliamentary Special Assistant. (4) The Speaker shall vacate his office— a) if any circumstances arise that, it he were not the Speaker. would disqualify him from election as Speaker; b) when Parliament first meets after any dissolution; or c) if he is removed from office by a resolution of Parliament supported by the votes of not less than two-thirds of the Members of Parliament. (5) No business shall be transacted in Parliament (other than an election to the office of Speaker) at any time if the office of Speaker is vacant. (6) Any person elected to the office of Speaker who is not a Member of Parliament shall before entering upon the duties of his office, take and subscribe before Parliament the Oath for the due execution of his office set out in the Third Schedule. (7) The Speaker (or in his absence the Deputy Speaker) shall preside over all sittings of Parliament, except when the President is present.