NA to change rule on quorum

THE National Assembly intends to change the rule that requires the presence of 37 voting Members to be present in the House in order to constitute a meeting, but that will require amending the Constitution.

Veterans’ Affairs Minister Ngarikutuke Tjiriange yesterday announced that he would table a motion to that effect next week.Last Thursday there was no quorum in the National Assembly although it was only the third session after a two-month winter recess. Earlier this year, MPs had to be sent home several times because others did either not turn up for the afternoon session or disappeared during the tea break.According to Article 53 of the Constitution, 37 voting Members apart from the Speaker or presiding officer must be present for proceedings to continue. The change Minister Tjiriange wants to propose next week is to require 37 MPs with voting power to be in the Chamber only when voting takes place ‘or decisions are taken’.During debates fewer voting MPs can be present.The proposed technical amendment to the Constitution will be the third one since Independence in 1990. The first amendment was tabled in 1998 by then Prime Minister Hage Geingob to give former President Sam Nujoma a third term. The second amendment was made earlier this year to change the term of office for National Council members, regional councillors and town councillors from six to five years.