(1)After the commencement of its first session, the National Assembly shall, within fifteen days of commencement of first meeting, elect a Chairperson and Vice chairperson from among its members.
(2)While electing as per clause (1), either Chairperson or Vice chairperson Chairman of the National Assembly shall be a woman.
Provided that, no more than one party is elected to the National Assembly or does not seek to file its candidacy even when elected, nothing in this article shall bar from having Chairperson and Vice chairperson from the same party.
(3)If the office of the Chairperson or Vice chairperson falls vacant, the National Assembly shall fill the vacancy through election from among its members.
(4)The Vice-Chairperson shall, in the absence of the Chairperson of the National Assembly, chair the National Assembly.
(5)If the election of the Chairperson and Vice chairperson has not taken place, or if both the positions have become vacant, the senior-most member of the National Assembly shall preside over the meeting of the National Assembly.
(6)The office of the Chairperson and Vice chairperson shall be vacant in the following circumstances:
- (a)
if s/he ceases to be a member of the National Assembly,
- (b)
if s/he submits a written resignation,
- (c)
if a resolution is passed by a majority of two-thirds of the total members of the National Assembly to the effect that his or her conduct is not compatible with his/her position.
(7)The Vice-Chairperson shall preside over a meeting at which deliberations are to be held on a resolution that the conduct of the Chairperson of the National Assembly is not compatible with his/her position. The Chairperson shall be entitled to take part and vote in the deliberations on such resolution.