Portfolio Questions
The Presiding Officer has grouped the following questions at Portfolio Questions on Wednesday 8 May: NHS Recovery, Health and Social Care – Questions 2 and 7.
Selection of the Parliament’s Nominee for First Minister
The Presiding Officer notifies the Parliament that the First Minister has tendered his resignation, to take effect from the start of plenary business. which has been accepted by His Majesty the King.
Members may now make nominations for selection of the Parliament’s nominee for a new First Minister. Nominations must be submitted on official nomination forms. These are available from the Parliamentary Business Team in T1.03 and completed forms should be returned there from 2pm onwards and no later than 30 minutes before the time appointed for the voting period for selection of a nominee. The time for the selection of the nominee for First Minister will be included in a revised business motion to be agreed by the Parliament.
The process for selection of the nominee for First Minister will take place at 3.00 pm, subject to the agreement of a revised business motion by the Parliament. At the start of proceedings, each of the nominees will be called in alphabetical order to address the Chamber for up to five minutes.
Where more than one Member is nominated, Members will be given the opportunity to vote “yes” for one candidate, using the electronic voting system. The votes for each candidate will be taken in alphabetical order and Members may vote only once. Only “yes” votes will be counted.
Once the voting for candidates is completed, Members who have not voted for a candidate will then have an opportunity to vote to abstain by pressing their “yes” button. If any Member records a vote more than once, all of that Member’s votes will be treated as spoiled.
Where only one nomination is received, that candidate will be invited to address the Chamber. Members will then be invited to vote for or against that candidate or to abstain.
Members are reminded that the digital voting system will be used in this process.