ISLAMABAD, December 6, 2013: The entire agenda of the fifth sitting of Senate’s 99th session was suspended to hold a debate to pay tributes to the South African revolutionary leader, Nelson Mandela, who passed away on Friday, says Free and Fair Election Network in its Daily Factsheet based on direct observation of the Upper House.
Bypassing the regular agenda of the sitting, the House held a 52-minute discussion to pay tributes to South Africa’s first black President. The Leader of the House offered condolences for the deceased leader while 15 other Senators eulogized the services of the late President for the humanity and mankind.
Later, the advisor to the Prime Minister on National Security and Foreign Affairs submitted a resolution to pay tributes to Nelson Mandela which was unanimously adopted by the House.
Low attendance was observed, as 22 Senators were present at the outset while 30 at adjournment of the sitting. The Leader of the House and the Leader of the Opposition attended the proceedings.
Following are some key observations of the House proceedings:
Members’ Participation in House Proceedings:
- The Senate met for an hour and two minutes.
- The sitting started at 1106 hours against the scheduled time of 1030 hours, witnessing a delay of 36 minutes.
- The Chairman presided over the sitting while the Deputy Chairman was absent.
- The Leader of the House and the Leader of the Opposition were present throughout the sitting.
- Twenty-two Senators were present at the outset, 30 at the end and a maximum 38 at a point during the sitting.
- The relevant minister for the Question Hour was not present.
- All Parliamentary leaders, except those of PML-N and PML-F, attended the sitting.
- Two Minority Senators attended the proceedings.
- None of the lawmakers applied for leave.
Representation and Responsiveness
- As the Question Hour was not held, all 34 Starred Questions on the agenda were not taken up. The questions were addressed to the Ministries of Water and Power, Petroleum, and Foreign Affairs.
- The House held a debate to pay tributes to the former South African President Nelson Mandela on his death. Sixteen lawmakers spoke about the deceased in the debate that lasted 52 minutes.
Order and Institutionalization
- None of the lawmakers raised Points of Order during the sitting.
- An ANP lawmaker staged a 10-minute walkout when the Chair disallowed him to speak in the debate on Nelson Mandela’s death.
Transparency
- ‘Orders of the Day’ was available to the legislators, observers and others.
- Information on Senators’ attendance was not available to the observers and the public.
This publication has been produced with the assistance of the European Union. The contents of this publication are the sole responsibility of FAFEN and can in no way be taken to reflect the views of the European Union. This Daily Factsheet is based on direct observation of the Senate proceedings conducted by PATTAN Development Organization; a member organization of FAFEN. Errors and omissions excepted
