And the political crisis continues (1)

On Xarabank (January 13), it was said (I do not recollect exactly by whom), that the Speaker of the House of Representatives, if he or she is an elected member, shall have his or her vote as a member (referred to as an “original vote” in the Standing Orders) plus a casting vote in case of an equal division.

This is wrong. The Speaker, whether he or she is an elected member or appointed from outside the House, never has two votes but only the casting vote in case of an equal division.

The situation is different in the case of the deputy speaker and/or the chairman of Committees (often the same person) or anybody who presides over the House in the absence of the Speaker.

This is regulated by Standing Order No 21(2), which reads as follows:

21. (1) Save as otherwise provided in the Constitution all questions proposed for decision in the House shall be determined by a majority of the votes of the members present and voting.

(2) The Speaker shall not have an original vote, but, if upon any question before the House the votes are equally divided, he shall have and exercise a casting vote.

(3) Any other person shall, when presiding in the House retain his original vote as a member and, if upon any question before the House the votes are equally divided, shall also have and exercise a casting vote.