Latest news with #ParliamentaryElections
CNA
20-06-2025
- Politics
- CNA
Seah Kian Peng to be appointed Speaker of Parliament, Indranee Rajah will remain House Leader
SINGAPORE: Mr Seah Kian Peng will be nominated for re-election as Speaker of Parliament when the House convenes on Sep 5 in the first sitting since the May General Election. Mr Seah, who is Member of Parliament for Marine Parade-Braddell Heights GRC, has served as Speaker since 2023. Minister in the Prime Minister's Office Indranee Rajah will remain Leader of the House, while Senior Minister of State Zaqy Mohamad will continue as Deputy Leader, the Prime Minister's Office announced on Friday (Jun 20). All three positions were nominated by Prime Minister Lawrence Wong, but the Speaker will be elected by MPs at the start of a new parliament. The Speaker presides over the sittings of the House and enforces the rules prescribed in the Standing Orders of Parliament for the orderly conduct of parliamentary business. Although the Speaker need not be an MP, he or she must possess the qualifications to stand for election as an MP. In carrying out his or her duties, the Speaker must remain impartial and fair to all MPs. The Speaker regulates and enforces the rules of debate, deciding who has the right to speak and putting the questions for the House to debate and vote on. The Speaker does not take part in the debates of the House, but can abstain or vote for or against a motion if he or she has an original vote as an elected member. He or she has no casting vote. The Speaker is overall in charge of the administration of parliament and acts as the representative of the House. In order duties, the Speaker also welcomes visiting dignitaries and represents parliament at national events and during official visits abroad. Ms Indranee, who is also Second Minister for Finance and National Development, has been House Leader since 2020. Senior Minister of State for Defence and Sustainability and the Environment Zaqy Mohamad has also been Deputy Leader since 2020. The Leader of the House is responsible for the arrangement of government business and the legislative programme of parliament. He or she also proposes appropriate actions to be taken on any procedural matters arising in parliament. House Leaders also move procedural motions relating to the business of the House during sittings, such as to extend the times of sittings beyond the usual time as set out in the Standing Orders. The 15th parliament will have 97 elected MPs and two non-constituency MPs. The new session will kick off with the election of the Speaker and the swearing-in of MPs at 5pm on Sep 5.
The National
04-06-2025
- General
- The National
Hamilton by-election: How to find polling station and ID rules
The race has become a heated contest between the SNP, Scottish Labour and the Reform Party. The seat has been held by the SNP since its establishment in 2011, with the party previously winning it with over 46% of the vote during the 2021 Scottish Parliament election. When will the Hamilton, Larkhall and Stonehouse by-election take place? The seat has been held by the SNP since its creation in 2011. (Image: Getty Images) The Hamilton, Larkhall and Stonehouse by-election takes place tomorrow (Thursday, June 5). According to the South Lanarkshire Council website, polling stations will be open from 7am until 10pm. How do I find my polling station for the Hamilton, Larkhall and Stonehouse by-election? Those looking to find their polling station for the by-election can do so on the Electoral Commission website. All voters need to do is type their full postcode into the search bar. Do you need voter ID for the Hamilton, Larkhall and Stonehouse by-election? The Scottish Assessors' Association (SAA) states that those voting in Scotland are not required to show a photo ID for any Scottish Parliament or Scottish council elections. However, voters would need an ID for UK Parliamentary Elections, UK Parliamentary by-elections and recall petitions. Voter ID is NOT required for the Hamilton, Larkhall and Stonehouse by-election (Image: Getty Images) Recommended Reading: See all the candidates running for the 2025 Hamilton, Larkhall and Stonehouse by-election These are all the candidates hoping to be the next Member of the Scottish Parliament for the Hamilton, Larkhall and Stonehouse constituency. Collette Bradley - Scottish Socialist Party The SSP candidate is a trade union activist who has campaigned on issues like improved pay, equality and job security. She has also pledged to take only an average worker's wage if elected. Andy Brady - Scottish Family Party Andy Brady of the Scottish Family Party has previously claimed to "value" the families, businesses and the education of the area. Ross Alexander Lambie - Reform UK Ross Alexander Lambie is a councillor for the Clydesdale South ward who recently defected from the Scottish Conservative Party. Katy Loudon - Scottish National Party (SNP) Katy Loudon unsuccessfully stood in the 2023 Rutherglen and Hamilton West by-election and for Rutherglen during the 2024 general election. Janice Elizabeth MacKay - UK Independence Party (UKIP) The UKIP candidate was previously a candidate for Rutherglen and Hamilton West at the 2015 and 2019 general elections. Ann McGuinness - Scottish Green Party Ann McGuinness is a member of the board of directors for Scottish Rural Action, an organisation aiming to create "vibrant and connected rural and island communities". Aisha Jawaid Mir - Liberal Democrats Businesswoman Aisha Jawaid Mir previously stood for a number of other seats and regions, including Milton Keynes North in 2019 and Mid Scotland and Fife in 2021. Richard Nelson - Conservative and Unionist Party Councillor and comedian Richard Nelson currently represents the Larkhall ward in South Lanarkshire Council. Davy Russell - Labour Party The Businessman beat out the likes of former MSP Alasdair Morrison and local government manager Suzanne Macleod to be selected as the Scottish Labour Party's candidate for the seat. Marc Wilkinson - Independent Marc Wilkinson is a pizza shop owner who has previously stated his intention to create a "South of Scotland People Party" for the next Scottish Parliament election in 2026. The Hamilton, Larkhall and Stonehouse by-election will take place on Thursday, June 5, with polling stations opening between 7am and 10pm.
ABC News
25-05-2025
- Politics
- ABC News
Tonga's King calls for political reform
King Tupou the VI has called for improvements to the country's democratic system. His call comes 15 years after democratic reforms were introduced . The reforms introduced by former King George V, removed the Monarchy's executive control of government and increased the number of MPs elected by the people. However, the Monarchy would retain control of certain portfolios such as Foreign Minister. "We have now come through the conduct of the Parliamentary Elections in a peaceful manner," said King Tupou VI. "However, the challenge of democratic transition still requires improvement, as it is merely based on a developing economic situation."
