Quorum of the National Assembly

The Speaker of the National Assembly has recently sternly rebuked Members of Parliament (MPs) for failing to quorate and in particular criticised those who sit for a few minutes and leave just to mark themselves present and get sitting allowance. However, the Speaker ought to address the issue further and holistically rather than deal with topics related to the issue

According to Standing Orders number 17.1 the quorum of the sitting of the House shall be one-third of the Membership of the House. Clause 17.2 provides that if the attention of the Speaker is drawn to the fact that a quorum is not present he or she shall direct that MPs be summoned. If after 15 minutes have expired he or she is satisfied that a quorum is not present the Speaker shall adjourn the Assembly without question put and the Assembly shall then stand adjourned in accordance with Standing Order No. 25.