Manzoor Nadir back as Speaker of the National Assembly; Vishwa Mahadeo is Deputy Speaker

Manzoor Nadir was re-elected Speaker of the National Assembly, while Dr. Vishwa Mahadeo was elected as the Deputy Speaker.

Both men were elected on Monday at the first sitting of the National Assembly of the 13th Parliament.

Nadir, who served as Speaker from September 2020 to 2025, was nominated by Prime Minister Brigadier (Ret’d) Mark Phillips. That nomination was seconded by Minister of Governance and Parliamentary Affairs Gail Teixeira. No other nominations were made.

Nadir is a former five-term Member of Parliament, first being elected in 1992 after the October 5th General Elections as former Leader of the United Force political Party.

Meanwhile, there was a vote for the Deputy Speaker. Dr Vishwa Mahadeo was nominated by his colleagues from the People’s Progressive Party Civic (PPP/C) government.

Tabitha Sarabo- Halley of the We Invest in Nationhood (WIN) party was nominated by WIN’s Natasha- Singh Lewis. However, Dr. Mahadeo was elected as Deputy Speaker by a majority vote. A total of 17 members voted for Sarabo-Halley, while there were 36 votes for Dr. Mahadeo.