By Adnan Al-Failkawi

KUWAIT, May 31 (KUNA) -- His Highness the Amir Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah will inaugurate on Sunday the first session of the National Assembly's 12th legislative term.

The session will begin with a speech by His Highness the Amir, followed by a speech by His Highness the Prime Minister Sheikh Nasser Al-Mohammad Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah.

The newly elected MPs and the ministers, also considered members of parliament, then take oath according to article 91 of the constitution, which states, "Before assuming duties in the assembly or its committees, a member of the National Assembly shall take oath before the assembly in a public sitting."

This is followed by the election of the parliament speaker and deputy, as well as the secretary and the supervisor, then members of the standing and ad-hoc committees.

His Highness the Amir had issued a decree on May 19, calling for the convening of the parliament on June 1.

The parliamentary elections had been held on May 17, with 275 male and female candidates competing in five constituencies -- the first time after amending the electoral district distribution from the previous system of 25. It was also the second time that women participate in the elections.

According to article 92 of the constitution, "The National Assembly shall elect at its first sitting and for the duration of its term a speaker and a deputy speaker from amongst its members. If either office becomes vacant, the assembly shall elect a successor for the remainder of its term."

The article adds, "In all cases, election shall be by an absolute majority vote of the members present. If this majority vote is not attained in the first ballot, another election shall be held between the two candidates receiving the highest number of votes."

Moreover, "If more than one candidate receives an equal number of votes in the second place, all such candidates shall participate in the second ballot. In this case the candidate who receives the greatest number of votes shall be elected. If there is a tie in this last ballot, the choice shall be by lot."

And, "The oldest member shall preside over the first sitting until the speaker is elected."

The parliament statute, in article 30, lists the prerogatives of the speaker as including contacts with other authorities, representing the parliament and speaking on its behalf, supervising the parliament's secretariat, as well as ensuring the application of the constitution and laws, maintaining order in the sittings, giving orders to the special guards. The deputy speaker takes the place of the speaker during absence.

Since the establishment of the parliament in 1962 and up to its 11th legislative term, eight speakers were elected, the first of which was Abdullatif Thunayan Al-Ghanim in 1962-1963, then Abdulaziz Al-Saqer in 1963-1965, Saud Al-Abdulrazzaq in 1965-1967, Zaid Al-Sarhan in 1967-1970, Khalid Al-Ghunaim in 1971-1975, Mohammad Al-Adsani in 1981-1985, Ahmad Al-Saadoun in 1985 and again in 1996-1999, and finally Jassem Al-Kharafi in 1999-2008.

Copyright Kuwait News Agency 2008.