Yehizb Tewokayoch Mekir Bete (House of Peoples' Representatives)

General Information

Parliament name (generic / translated)	-
Structure of parliament	Bicameral
Chamber name (generic / translated)	Yehizb Tewokayoch Mekir Bete / House of Peoples' Representatives
Related chamber (for bicameral parliaments)	Yefedereshein Mekir Bete / House of the Federation
Leadership
President	Teshome Toga (M)
Secretary General	Ato Dagnachew Befekadu (M)
Composition
Members (statutory / current number)	547 / 547
Women (current number)	152 (27.79%)
Mode of designation	Directly elected 547
Term	5 years
Last renewal dates	23 May 2010

Legal Framework
Electoral law	23 August 1993
Mode of designation	Directly elected 547
Voting system	Majority: Simple majority vote. Vacancies which arise between general elections are filled through by-elections held within three months. Voting is not compulsory.
Voter requirements	Age: at least 18 years old Ethiopian nationality Residence of at least six months in constituency Disqualifications: insanity, imprisonment
Candidates
Eligibility	Qualified electors Age: at least 21 years Ethiopian nationality Regular residence in constituency where candidate is running for at least 2 years immediately preceding polling date. However, there is no requirement of residence if candidate is running for the constituency of the candidates place of birth or the place where the candidate has been regularly working for at least two years preceding polling date. regular residence in constituency where running for at least 5 years immediately preceding polling date
Incompatibilities	Members of the House of Federation Judges and prosecutors who have not resigned Military and paramilitary personnel
Candidacy requirements	Nominated by individual citizens or political organizations. No support or signature is needed for candidates running under banner of political parties. When running as independent candidates, candidacy must be supported by at least 1,000 qualified electors from the constituency.

Appointment and term of office
Title	Speaker of the House of People's Representatives
Term	duration: 5 years (term of House) reasons for interruption of the term: resignation, death, dissolution
Appointment	elected by all the Members of the House election is held at the first sitting of the newly elected House or when a vacancy occurs
Eligibility	any Member can be a candidate formal notification is required candidatures must be deposited at least two months before the election
Voting system	formal vote by secret ballot 2/3 majority is required in the first round
Procedures / results	the Head of the electorate board presides over the House during the voting the electorate board supervises the voting the electorate board announces the results within a month time
Status
Status	ranks third in the hierarchy of the State in the absence of the Speaker, the Deputy Speaker can assume his/her role and functions
Board
Material facilities	NA (no information received)