Parliament’s first sitting to focus on Oaths, Speaker, and PM elections

According to Section 1, Article (2) of the Standing Orders of Parliament, the Clerk of Parliament, Maxime Banga, has convened the newly elected members of the 14th legislature to attend their first sitting on February 11th, having been summoned on January 30th. This move marks the official commencement of the new parliamentary term, with various agendas set to unfold.

The Standing Orders clearly stipulate: “Within twenty-one (21) days after a general election, the Clerk must notify each member, stating the place and time at which the first sitting of Parliament will be held. The notice must be issued at least ten (10) days before the date of the first sitting.” This ensures that members have ample time to prepare for their participation.

This convocation includes four agenda items for the first sitting: 1) Swearing-in of members, 2) Signing of the Members’ Register, 3) Election of the Speaker and Deputy Speakers, and 4) Election of the Prime Minister. The Clerk will read the notice and guide all present members in taking the oath and signing the register. The Standing Orders require all members present to take the oath and sign the register in alphabetical order by surname. If a member is absent, they must take the oath and sign the register at the next sitting of Parliament they attend.

Parliament will then proceed to elect the Speaker and one or more Deputy Speakers through a secret ballot. During the election of the Speaker, when a quorum is reached, the most senior member (the member with the longest tenure) will preside over the Speaker election debate. Members must elect the Prime Minister in the same manner, via a secret ballot. Following the parliamentary proceedings, the Prime Minister will appoint Cabinet Ministers in the parliamentary rotunda.

In the lead-up to the first sitting of Parliament, various parties are engaged in intense political maneuvering, with uncertainty surrounding the finalization of the cabinet lineup and the allocation of key positions such as Prime Minister, Speaker, and Deputy Prime Ministers. This makes the first sitting a matter of suspense and flux.