Parliament Meme: Quorum in the House Of Representatives

The Nigerian House of Representatives has 360 members. To hold a plenary session, however, a certain number of lawmakers must be present for such legislative business to go on. This week’s episode of #MondayMeme is an exposition on the subject for the green chamber of the National Assembly.

According to the Standing Orders of the House of Representatives, the quorum of the House shall be one-third of all the members of the House

A DIVISION OF THE HOUSE

In the event that the Speaker’s attention is drawn to the fact that a quorum of the House is not present, he/she shall cause members to be summoned as if for a division.

This is also applicable if, from the number of members participating in a division (including those members who declined to vote), a quorum appears not constituted.

ADJOURNMENT IF QUORUM IS NOT MET

At the expiration of fifteen minutes from such order, the Speaker shall count the House and, if a quorum is not then constituted, shall adjourn the House forthwith.

READ ALSO: National Assembly Meme: Rules of Debate in the Senate (Part 1)

QUORUM IN COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE

If notice is taken in a Committee of the Whole House that a quorum is not present, the Chairman shall follow the course pursued by the Speaker in accordance with paragraph (2) of the House Standing Orders.

If he ascertains that less than one-third of all the members are present, the Chairman shall leave a Chair, and the House shall be resumed; whereupon the Speaker shall count the House.

If a quorum is present, the House shall resolve itself into Committee, but if it is not present, the Speaker shall adjourn the House forthwith.

 If from the number of Members taking part in a division, including those who decline to vote, it appears that a quorum is not present, the divisions shall be invalid, and the business then under consideration shall stand over until the next sitting.

QUORUM AT JOINT SITTING

In the event of a Joint sitting, the quorum shall be one-third of all the Members of the National Assembly.

READ ALSO: Parliament Meme: Behaviour of Members in the House of Representatives

Monday Meme is a public service programme by OrderPaper Nigeria designed to break down the esoteric terminologies of the legislature and how the institution of parliament generally functions.