National Assembly (Saint Kitts and Nevis)
National Assembly | |
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8th National Assembly | |
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Type | |
Type | Unicameral |
Leadership | |
Elizabeth II since 1983 | |
Samuel Weymouth Tapley Seaton | |
Speaker | Anthony Michael Perkins since June 2016 |
Structure | |
Seats | 15 |
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National Assembly political groups | Her Majesty's Government
HM Loyal Opposition
Other Members of the National Assembly
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Elections | |
National Assembly voting system | First Past the Post |
National Assembly last election | 5 June 2020 |
National Assembly next election | 2025 |
Website | |
www |
Politics of Saint Kitts and Nevis |
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Administrative divisions (parishes) |
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The National Assembly is the unicameral legislative assembly that, together with the Queen of Saint Christopher and Nevis, forms the Parliament of Saint Kitts and Nevis.[1]
Composition of the National Assembly[]
The assembly has 14 or 15 members (depending upon circumstances), 11 of whom are elected for a five-year term in single-seat constituencies and are known as Representatives. The remaining four are called Senators; three are appointed by the governor-general and the fourth is the attorney-general (i.e. an ex officio member).
The 1983 constitution mandates at least three senators, or four if the attorney-general is not one of these three appointed senators. The number can be increased by the parliament as long as it doesn't exceed two thirds of the number of representatives. Except for the attorney-general, the senators are appointed by the governor-general, acting on the advice of the prime minister in two of the appointments and the leader of the opposition for the third one.
Legislative authority[]
Parliament is empowered by the 1983 constitution to make laws for the Peace, order, and good government of the federation, excepting those areas in the exclusive competence of the Nevis Island Legislature.[2] Following passage by the National Assembly, Royal Assent is required to be given by the Governor-General of Saint Kitts and Nevis.[3]
Amendments to the constitution require a two-thirds supermajority in the Assembly.[4]
Latest election[]
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Party | Votes | % | Seats | +/– | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Saint Kitts and Nevis Labour Party | 10,316 | 37.09 | 2 | –1 | |
People's Action Movement | 8,067 | 29.00 | 4 | 0 | |
People's Labour Party | 3,681 | 13.23 | 2 | +1 | |
Concerned Citizens' Movement | 3,510 | 12.62 | 3 | +1 | |
Nevis Reformation Party | 2,232 | 8.02 | 0 | –1 | |
Independents | 11 | 0.04 | 0 | 0 | |
Appointed members | 4 | 0 | |||
Total | 27,817 | 100.00 | 15 | 0 | |
Valid votes | 27,817 | 99.23 | |||
Invalid/blank votes | 215 | 0.77 | |||
Total votes | 28,032 | 100.00 | |||
Registered voters/turnout | 48,076 | 58.31 | |||
Source: Winn FM |
Speaker of the National Assembly[]
The Assembly has a speaker and deputy speaker elected by the members of the parliament during its first meeting following a general election. They do not have to be members of it; but if they are then they cannot also be in the cabinet or parliamentary secretaries.
The current speaker of the National Assembly of Saint Kitts and Nevis is Anthony Michael Perkins, who has been in office since June 2016. He succeeded Franklin Brand.
Previous speakers[]
Speakers of the Legislative Council of Saint Christopher-Nevis-Anguilla
Name | Entered office | Left office | Notes |
---|---|---|---|
Hon. Henry Anthony Camillo Howard | 1960 | 1962 | [5] |
Hon. Milton Allen | 1962 | 1971 | [6][5] |
Hon. | 1971 | August 1978 | [7] |
Hon. Ada Mae Edwards | 1978 | 1980 | [8] |
Hon. | 1980 | 1983 |
Speakers of the National Assembly of St Kitts and Nevis
Name | Entered office | Left office | Notes |
---|---|---|---|
Hon. | 1983 | 1985 | [9] |
Hon. | 1985 | 1995 | [10] |
Hon. | 1996 | 2004 | [10] |
Hon. Marcella Liburd | December 2004 | 2008 | [10] |
Hon. | 18 April 2008 | 16 January 2015 | [10] |
Hon. | May 2015 | June 2016 | |
Hon. | June 2016 | present | [11][12] |
See also[]
- Politics of Saint Kitts and Nevis
- List of legislatures by country
References[]
- ^ s. 25, Constitution of Saint Christopher and Nevis (1983)
- ^ s. 37, Constitution of Saint Christopher and Nevis (1983)
- ^ s.42, 1983 constitution
- ^ s.38, 1983 constitution
- ^ Jump up to: a b "Historic St. Kitts - Sir Milton Allen". www.historicstkitts.kn.
- ^ The Parliamentarian: Journal of the Parliaments of the Commonwealth. 43. 18 March 1962.
- ^ "Historic St. Kitts - William Florian Glasford". www.historicstkitts.kn.
- ^ "Historic St. Kitts - Ada Mae Edwards". www.historicstkitts.kn.
- ^ Caribbean dateline. 4–7. A. Day. 1983.
- ^ Jump up to: a b c d "SKNVibes - Franklin Brand nominated for Speaker of National Assembly". www.sknvibes.com. Archived from the original on 6 May 2015. Retrieved 14 April 2020.
- ^ "Hon. Anthony Michael Perkins Elected Speaker Of National Assembly". thestkittsnevisobserver.com. 30 June 2016.
- ^ https://www.winnfm.com/news/local/17540-michael-perkins-for-speaker-new-senator-to-be-appointed
- Parliaments by country
- Government of Saint Kitts and Nevis
- Government agencies established in 1983
- Unicameral legislatures
- National legislatures