constituteproject.org PDF generated: 26 Sep 2013, 21:48 125 Qualifications and disqualifications for election to National Assembly (1) A person is qualified for election as a Member of the National Assembly if he or she-(a) is registered as a voter; and (b) is at least twenty-one years of age; unless he or she is disqualified under subsection (2) or (3). (2) A person is disqualified for election as a Member of the National Assembly if-(a) he or she is disqualified under the Fourth Schedule for registration as a voter; or (b) within five years before the election, he or she vacated a seat in the Senate or the National Assembly in terms of section 129(1)(i) through having been convicted of an offence. (3) A person is disqualified for election at a by-election in the National Assembly if he or she is a Member of Parliament. 126 Speaker of National Assembly (1) At its first sitting after a general election, and before proceeding to any other business, the National Assembly must elect a presiding officer to be known as the Speaker. (2) Whenever there is a vacancy in the office of Speaker, the National Assembly must without delay elect a person to fill the vacancy. (3) A person is qualified for election as Speaker if he or she is or has been a Member of the National Assembly or is qualified to be elected to the National Assembly. (4) Elections to the office of 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. (5) Before commencing his or her duties, the 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. (6) A Member of the National Assembly who is elected as Speaker ceases to be a Member of the National Assembly, and the vacant seat must be filled in accordance with the Electoral Law. (7) The 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 Clerk of Parliament. Zimbabwe 2013 Page 52