Article 81. Establishment, composition and functions of Parliament
Election of members of Parliament
This is the official English text as consolidated on 31 December 2023. The English text is the law.
[Repealed.]
Whenever a vacancy occurs in Parliament, the Clerk to Parliament shall notify the Electoral Commission in writing within ten days after the vacancy has occurred; and a by-election shall be held within sixty days after the Electoral Commission has received notification of the vacancy from the Clerk to Parliament.
Where the seat of a member of Parliament is declared vacant by a court —
the registrar of the court shall transmit to the Clerk to Parliament a copy of the judgment of the court within ten days after the declaration; and
the Clerk to Parliament shall notify the Electoral Commission in writing of the vacancy within ten days after receiving the judgment from the registrar of the court.
Notwithstanding clause (2) of this Article, a by-election shall not be held within six months before the holding of a general election of Parliament.
Every person elected to Parliament shall take and subscribe the oath of allegiance and the oath of member of Parliament specified in the Fourth Schedule to this Constitution.
Except for the purpose of taking the oaths referred to in clause (4) of this Article, no person shall sit or vote in Parliament before taking and subscribing the oaths.