National Assembly (NA) – Careers / Vacancies

The National Assembly (NA) is one of the two Houses of Parliament. It is responsible for choosing the President, passing laws, ensuring that the executive members perform their work properly, and providing a forum where the people’s representatives can publicly debate issues.

The Speaker is the head and spokesperson of the National Assembly. The Speaker has many responsibilities, which include constitutional, statutory (in terms of the law), procedural and administrative powers and functions. The duties of the Speaker fall broadly into three categories, namely: presiding over sittings of the House, maintaining order and applying its rules; acting as representative and spokesperson for the Assembly and (with the Chairperson of the Council) for Parliament; and acting as Chief Executive Officer for Parliament, in conjunction with the Chairperson of the Council.

The National Assembly is elected to represent the people and to ensure democratic governance as required by the Constitution. It does this by electing the President, providing a national forum for public consideration of issues, passing legislation and scrutinising and overseeing executive action.

The National Assembly consists of no fewer than 350 and no more than 400 members elected through a system of proportional representation.

The National Assembly, which is elected for a term of five years, is presided over by the speaker, assisted by the deputy speaker.

Relevant sections in the Constitution include:

• Composition & election
• Membership
• Oath or affirmation
• Duration
• Dissolution before expiry of term
• Sittings & recess periods
• Speaker and Deputy Speaker
• Decisions
• Rights of certain Cabinet members
• Powers
• Evidence or information before National Assembly
• Internal arrangements, proceedings & proceedings
• Privilege
• Public access to & involvement in National Assembly