Parliament reopening hinges on quorum, says Mori
Parliament spokesperson Oliver Mori said the delay was not officially planned but rather due to how the members dispersed at the start of the recess
By Aguok Chok
The Transitional National Legislative Assembly (TNLA) has started the registration of members in preparation to reopen the National Parliament.
The legislators went for a four-month recess, starting on December 18, 2024.
Speaking to The City Review in an exclusive interview yesterday, Oliver Mori Benjamin, the Chairperson of the Parliamentary Specialized Committee on Information, Communication, Technology, and Postal Services, confirmed that registration of members was in progress.
“Our registration is now taking place. The system is that before sitting resumes, members have to get registered. When the registration reaches the quorum, which is half plus one of the 550, then a sitting will be convened.”
He further said in case of a joint sitting between the Council of States and the Parliament, a different quorum has to be met.
“If it is going to be a joint sitting, Council of the State and Parliament, then the quorum will be half of 650. That is 325. If the number is achieved, then the sitting will start.”
It is only four days left for the parliament to return from the four-month recess.
However, Mori said the delay in reopening is partly attributed to financial constraints faced by the members.
“Actually, remember, the members went without any recess allowance. So their coming is also difficult. They will have to wait until we achieve that forum,” he explained.
When asked whether the delays of the lawmakers will affect the legislative calendar, Mori said, “That is not the issue. We take things as of our conduct of business. This is what the conduct of business requires. Half of the members plus one must be present for the opening.”
He insisted that the delay was not officially planned but rather due to how the members dispersed at the start of the recess.
“This delay is all caused due to the fact that the members went on their own means for the recess.”
According to him, the key priority now is to achieve quorum and reopen the parliament.
“Let us open the parliament first. Once it is opened, then the question we are talking about will arise,” Mori said, referring to the concerns about possible delays in the legislative agenda.
It is less than two months remaining for the 2024/2025 Fiscal Year budget to expire. However, Mori said the rules must be followed regardless of timing.
“Procedurally, we don’t have any other alternative. This is the alternative to be followed as for the conduct of business and the constitution.”
According to him, the registration of members must meet the quorum for the parliament to be reopened.
Unless the quorum is met, the parliament will remain in recess, and the legislative business, including the national budget, will remain pending.
