Section 127: Deputy Speaker of National Assembly

(1) As soon as practicable after electing a Speaker following a general election, the National Assembly must elect one of its Members to be the Deputy Speaker.

(2) Whenever there is a vacancy in the office of Deputy Speaker, the National Assembly must without delay elect a person to fill the vacancy.

(3) Elections to the office of Deputy Speaker must be conducted by the Clerk of Parliament under the supervision of the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission, by secret ballot in accordance with Standing Orders, and the results must be announced forthwith.

(4) Before commencing his or her duties, the Deputy Speaker must take before the Chief Justice or the next most senior judge available the oaths of loyalty and office in the forms set out in the Third Schedule.

(5) The Deputy Speaker may resign by announcing his or her resignation in person to the National Assembly or, if the National Assembly is not sitting, by giving written notice to the Speaker or, in the absence of the Speaker, to the Clerk of Parliament.

(6) The Deputy Speaker must vacate his or her office—

    (a) upon ceasing to be a Member of the National Assembly;

    (b) upon becoming the President of the Senate;

    (c) upon becoming a Vice-President, Minister or Deputy Minister; or

    (d) if a resolution for his or her removal from office is passed by at least two-thirds of the

total membership of the National Assembly.

PART 5

T ENURE OF M EMBERS OF PARLIAMENT