Composition of the Commission

THE CHAIRMAN
In terms of the Act, the Chairman of the Commission shall be a person who holds, or has held, the office of a judge or that of a magistrate or is an advocate. Provided that in the last two instances, the person must have practised as an advocate for a specified minimum number of years. (Article 3(2)).

THE MEMBERS
A person shall not be qualified to hold office as a member of the Commission if he is, or was, a Minister, Parliamentary Secretary, a member of the House of Representatives, a member of a local government authority, or if he is a public officer other than a public officer who is qualified to be appointed chairman of the Commission under subarticle (2):
Provided that where more than ten years have elapsed since a person was a Minister, a Parliamentary Secretary, a Member of the House of Representatives, a member of a local government authority or a public officer he shall not be considered to be subject to the exclusion from being a member of the Commission provided for in this sub-article if after having relinquished any such office he shall have served as a Judge or as a Magistrate for a period of at least five years.

INDEPENDENCE OF THE COMMISSION
In the exercise of its functions the Commission is not subject to the direction or control of any other person or authority. (Article 3(8)).

The Chairman and members are appointed for a period of 5 years (Article 3(4)(a)) and cannot be removed from office except under exceptional circumstances that are specified in the Act such as inability to discharge their duties due to infirmity or for misbehaviour. (Article 3(5)).

Salaries or other expenses of the Commission are defrayed out of the Consolidated Fund. (Article 16).

THE SECRETARY TO THE COMMISSION
The Secretary to the Commission, shall be appointed by the Prime Minister. (Article 13(1)).

APPOINTMENT OF EXPERTS
The Prime Minister may, at the request of the Commission, appoint a person to assist it in its investigations in a consultative capacity. (Article 12).