Part IV

The Northern Ireland Assembly

Elections etc

Extraordinary elections
32
1
If the Assembly passes a resolution that it should be dissolved the Secretary of State shall propose a date for the poll for the election of the next Assembly.
2
A resolution under subsection (1) shall not be passed without the support of a number of members of the Assembly which equals or exceeds two thirds of the total number of seats in the Assembly.
3
If the period mentioned in section 16(1) or (8) ends without a First Minister and a deputy First Minister having been elected, the Secretary of State shall propose a date for the poll for the election of the next Assembly.
4
If the Secretary of State proposes a date under subsection (1) or (3), Her Majesty may by Order in Council—
a
direct that the date of the poll for the election of the next Assembly shall, instead of being determined in accordance with section 31, be the date proposed; and
b
provide for the Assembly to be dissolved on a date specified in the Order.