According to the NKR’s legislation the National Assembly is the Republic’s highest legislative representative organ. The President should ratify all the laws passed by the National Assembly. The National Assembly fulfils its duties in accordance with the provisions set in the NKR’s law "On the NKR’s National Assembly". The National Assembly is a uni-chamber body. The NKR’s National Assembly exercises its activity by means of sessions, Permanent and Interim commissions and also through its deputees.
Members of Parliament are elected for a term of 5 years. According to the revised form of elections the deputees are now elected from 33  single-mandate electoral districts instead of  81 as was the situation prevailing in 1991. The last parliamentary elections were held in April 2000. The President, the Presidium of the NKR’s National Assembly, the Chairman of the National Assembly or 1/3 of the deputees may summon special sittings of the National Assembly. Permanent parliamentary commissions prepare and discuss bills, acts and the issues that are in the sphere of responsibility of  the National Assembly. The Commissions also supervise their farther implementation. The Chairman (Speaker) of  the National Assembly  is elected by a simple majority of votes taken in secret ballot.

In December 1997 Oleg Esayan was elected the Chairman of the NKR’s National Assembly.

In August 2005 Ashot Ghoulian was elected the Chairman of the NKR’s National Assembly.
 

Structure of the National Assembly