45 (8) The office of the Deputy Speaker becomes vacant if the Deputy Speaker— (a) resigns by giving to the Speaker a written notice of resignation; (b) vacates his or her seat as a member of Parliament; (c) is appointed as a Minister; or (d) is removed from office by a resolution supported by not less than twothirds of the members of Parliament. Leader of the Opposition 78.—(1) The members of Parliament who— (a) do not belong to the Prime Minister’s political party and are members of the opposition party or a coalition of opposition parties; (b) do not belong to any party which is in coalition with, or which supports, the Prime Minister’s political party; or (c) are independent candidates who do not support the Prime Minister or the Prime Minister’s political party, must elect a person from amongst themselves to be the Leader of the Opposition, in accordance with this section. (2) At the first sitting of Parliament after a general election, the Speaker must call for nominations from those members of Parliament mentioned in subsection (1), and, if only one person is nominated and seconded, the Speaker shall declare that person elected as the Leader of the Opposition, but if more than one person is nominated and seconded, the Speaker must conduct a vote, as follows— (a) if after the first vote, any nominee has the support of the majority of the members of Parliament mentioned in subsection (1), the Speaker shall declare that person elected as the Leader of the Opposition; and (b) if no nominee in the first vote receives the support of the majority of the members of Parliament mentioned in subsection (1), a second vote must be held within 24 hours of the first vote and the nominee who has the support of the majority of the members of Parliament mentioned in subsection (1) in the second vote shall be declared by the Speaker as being elected as the Leader of the Opposition. (3) If after the second vote held under subsection (2), no person receives the support of the majority of the members of Parliament mentioned in subsection (1), the position of the Leader of the Opposition shall remain vacant until such time the majority of the members of Parliament mentioned in subsection (1) write to the Speaker requesting him or her to call for fresh nominations for the election of the Leader of the Opposition in accordance with the procedure set out in subsection (2).