The procedure for appointing the new government’s Prime Minister should start this week with the King to appoint an Interim Speaker to receive nominations for a Prime Minister Designate.

A person who was not a candidate in the General Election may be appointed as Interim Speaker, and as required under Clause 50A of the Constitution the appointment should be made within seven-days after the declaration of the election results, on 27 November.

In the meantime, the Return of the Writs of Election to the King will be made on or before 11 December.

Within 14-days from the return of the writs, the Interim Speaker will then invite and receive all elected representatives to submit their nominations for the Prime Minister Designate. The nominations should be seconded by two other elected representatives.

Within three-days after receiving the nominations for the PM Designate, the Interim Speaker will call a meeting of all Noble’s and People’s Representatives to decide whom they shall recommend for the position.

“At this meeting every representative present will have a right to speak on his own behalf or that of another candidate, and they shall vote in a secret ballot and if one candidate receives more than half of the votes the Interim Speaker shall report to the King that the elected representatives recommendation of this person as Prime Minster Designate.”

Appointment

Upon receiving the recommendation from parliament, the Lord Chamberlain will call the Prime Minister to be appointed by the King.

He will take his oath of office before the Legislative Assembly at its first meeting.

However, if no candidate is elected then the Interim Speaker shall two-days after the first meeting hold another meeting at which the candidates who received the least votes will be eliminated.

The elected representatives shall then vote by secret ballot for their choice among the remaining candidates. If one receives more than half of the votes then the Interim Speaker will report this to the King.

The Interim Speaker ceases after a Speaker is appointed.