Options

(1) Subject to the provisions of this Act, a person who is eligible for the grant of a pension under this Act shall be entitled to exercise one of the two options, that is to say, (a) full pension without gratuity at the rate specified in section 8 of this Act; or 10 (b) reduced pension and gratuity at the rate specified in section 9 of this Act. (2) The option referred to in subsection (1) shall be exercised by every person who becomes eligible for the grant of a pension under this Act within three months of his so becoming eligible. Every such option shall be by notice in writing to the Clerk of the National Assembly. (3) On receipt of the notice, the Clerk of the National Assembly shall forward to the Accountant General a statement showing, (a) the option exercised by the legislator, (b) the details of his qualifying service as such (c) the age of the legislator; and (d) a certificate under his hand verifying the eligibility of such legislator for the grant of a pension under this Act. (4) Notwithstanding subsection (1) of this section, the Minister may, where a person referred to in that subsection fails to exercise his option in accordance with subsection (2) of this section, grant a reduced pension and gratuity as provided in section 9 of this Act as if the person had exercised his option, and in every such case the provisions of subsection