Leader of the Opposition.

58.- (1) There shall (except at times when no Representative is eligible for appointment) be a Leader of the Opposition in the National Assembly who shall be appointed by the Governor-General.

(2) Whenever there is occasion for the appointment of a Leader of the Opposition the Governor-General shall appoint the Representative who appears to him to command the support of the largest single group of Representatives who do not support the Government:

Provided that no Representative shall be eligible for appointment unless it appears to the Governor-General that Representative commands the support of at least one other Representative.

(3) If occasion arises to appoint a Leader of the Opposition during the period between a dissolution of Parliament and the day on which the ensuing election of Representatives is held, an appointment may be made as if Parliament has not been dissolved.

(4) The office of Leader of the Opposition shall become vacant-

a) if he ceases to be a member of the National Assembly otherwise than by reason of a dissolution of Parliament;

b) if, when the Assembly first meets after a dissolution of Parliament, he is not then a Representative;

c) if, by virtue of section 31(4), he is required to cease to perform his functions as a member of the Assembly; or

d) if he is removed from office by the Governor-General under subsection (5).

(5) If it appears to the Governor-General that the Leader of the Opposition is no longer able to command the support of a majority of the Representatives who do not support the Government or (if no Representative appears to him to be able to command such support) the support of the largest single group of Representatives who do not support the Government, he shall remove the Leader of the Opposition from office.

(6) The power of the Government-General under this section shall be exercised by him in his own deliberate judgment.

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