constituteproject.org PDF generated: 18 Apr 2016, 15:13 Title IV: Of the National Council of the Transition • Structure of legislative chamber(s) Article 49 The legislative and constitutive power of the Central African Republic lies with the National Council of the Transition. Article 50 • Size of first chamber The National Council of the Transition is composed of one hundred and thirty five (135) members representing the different political and socio-professional categories of the country. Members of the National Council of the transition bear the title of National Councilor. Each National Councilor is a representative of the Nation. • First chamber selection • Term length for first chamber • Removal of individual legislators Members of the National Council of the Transition are appointed by the organizations from which they come for the duration of the Transition. They can only be replaced in the event of their death, voluntary resignation, permanent incapacity due to medical causes, or if their removal is announced by a vote in plenary of the National Council of the Transition. The list of appointed National Councilors by the organizations to become members of the National Council of the Transition is to be announced by the Constitutional Court. • Secrecy of legislative votes Votes by National Councilors are personal. The ballot is carried out as a public ballot or through a secret vote, except in the case of the election of a person, which must always be carried out through a secret vote. Any imperative mandate shall be deemed null and void. The rules of procedure of the National Council of the Transition can in exceptional cases authorize proxy voting. No one can receive more than one proxy. • Leader of first chamber • Standing committees Article 51 The National Council of the Transition elects a Bureau from within its midst composed of: • A President • A Vice-President • A General Rapporteur • A Deputy General Rapporteur • Two Quaestors The members of the Bureau are elected by their peers for the duration of the Transition. In the event of the death, voluntary resignation, permanent incapacity due to medical causes of the President of the National Council of the Transition, the Vice-President replaces him and carries out his mandate till the end. Elections for a new Vice-President shall proceed within eight (8) days of this vacancy. If the National Council of the Transition is not in session, it will be immediately reconvened in an extraordinary session. Central African Republic 2013 Page 14