55 (b) such allowances and other benefits as may be prescribed under an Act of Parliament. 5.16 President and Vice-Presidents and former office-holders not to hold other office or employment The President and Vice-Presidents, and any former President or Vice-President, must not, directly or indirectly, hold any other public office or be employed by anyone else while he or she is in office or is receiving a pension from the State as former President or Vice-President, as the case may be. PART 3 MINISTERS, DEPUTY MINISTERS AND CABINET 5.17 Appointment of Ministers and Deputy Ministers (1) The President appoints Ministers and assigns functions to them, including the administration of any Act of Parliament or of any Ministry or department. (2) The President may appoint Deputy Ministers to assist any Minister in the exercise of his or her functions. (3) Ministers and Deputy Ministers are appointed from among Senators or Members of the National Assembly, but up to seven, chosen for their professional skills and competence, may be appointed from outside Parliament. (4) In appointing Ministers and Deputy Ministers, the President must be guided by considerations of regional and gender balance. (5) Ministers and Deputy Ministers who are not Members of Parliament may sit and speak, but not vote, in the Senate or the National Assembly. (6) Before taking office, a person appointed as Minister or Deputy Minister must take before the President the appropriate Ministerial oath in the form set out in the Third Schedule. 5.18 Cabinet (1) There is a Cabinet consisting of the President, as head of the Cabinet, the Vice Presidents and such Ministers as the President may appoint to the Cabinet. (2) Cabinet meetings are presided over by the President or, in his or her absence, by a VicePresident or, in their absence, by a Minister referred to in section 5.13(1)(c). 5.19 Conduct of Vice-Presidents, Ministers and Deputy Ministers (1) Every Vice-President, Minister and Deputy Minister must act in accordance with this Constitution. (2) Vice-Presidents, Ministers and Deputy Ministers may not, during their tenure of office— (a) directly or indirectly, hold any other public office or undertake any other paid work;