THE FEDERAL REPUBLIC OF SOMALIA Article 64. The Number of the Members of the House of the People (1) The citizens of the Federal Republic of Somalia shall elect members of the House of the People of the Federal Parliament in a direct, secret and free ballot. (2) The House of the People of the Federal Parliament shall have two hundred and seventy-five (275) ordinary members. (3) The members of the House of the People of the Federal Parliament must represent all communities of the Federal Republic of Somalia in a balanced manner. (4) Any person who becomes the President of the Federal Republic of Somalia shall become a life member of the House of the People after leaving the office of President of the Federal Republic of Somalia, unless he or she has been removed from this office before the end of the presidential term in accordance with Article 92 of the Constitution, and he or she shall be an additional member of the House of the People of the Federal Parliament. Article 65. The Speaker and Deputy Speakers of the House of the People of the Federal Parliament (1) At its first session, presided over by the eldest member, the House of the People of the Federal Parliament shall elect a Speaker and two (2) Deputy Speakers from amongst its members. (2) If on any occasion neither the Speaker nor the Deputy Speakers are present, the House shall elect one of its members to preside temporarily. (3) Before assuming office, the Speaker shall relinquish any official position in a political party, and shall be strictly neutral in the performance of his or her functions. (4) The Speaker and his or her deputies shall be elected through a secret ballot by a majority vote of the members of the House of the People of the Federal Parliament, and may be removed by a twothirds majority vote of the members of the House of the People of the Federal Parliament. Article 66. Sessions of the House of the People of the Federal Parliament (1) A newly elected House of the People of the Federal Parliament must hold its first sitting within thirty (30) days after the declaration of the result of the general election, on a date fixed by the National Independent Electoral Commission. (2) The House of the People of the Federal Parliament must hold two regular sessions each year, and each session shall last for a minimum of four (4) months. (3) The rules of procedure of the House of the People of the Federal Parliament shall determine the timings, dates and the resting period of the regular sessions of the House of the People of the Federal Parliament. (4) The House of the People of the Federal Parliament shall be convened for a special session whenever: (a) Called by the President of the Federal Republic acting on the request of the Council of Ministers;; (b) Called by its Speaker;; or (c) Requested in writing by at least 20% of the members of the House of the People of the Federal Parliament. 19