Cape Town – Following the 2024 National and Provincial Elections, preparations are underway for establishing South Africa’s seventh democratic Parliament.
Parliamentary spokesperson Moloto Mothapo confirmed that all arrangements for the new National Assembly are in place, including onboarding new Members of Parliament (MPs).
“Comprehensive plans are in place to ensure a seamless transition, including onboarding new Members of Parliament,” Mothapo said in a statement.
The Parliament, crucial for legislation and government oversight, operates under a proportional representation system, representing the people of South Africa.
“Under a proportional representation electoral system, Members of Parliament (MPs) are elected to represent the people of the country and act as their voice. Parliament, therefore, is accountable to the people of South Africa,” Mothapo said.
Elections for Parliament occur every five years, with the recent elections being the seventh since the first democratic elections in 1994. The National Assembly must consist of 350-400 members, elected for a five-year term, with new elections called within 90 days if the term expires or the Assembly is dissolved.
The election results, declared within seven days as per the Electoral Act, lead to the designation of National Assembly members by the Independent Electoral Commission (IEC), who then hands the lists to the Chief Justice, who forwards them to Parliament.
The first sitting of the National Assembly will be within 14 days of declaring election results, with the Chief Justice overseeing the swearing-in of members, the election of the Speaker and Deputy Speaker, and eventually the President. The President, elected from the Assembly members, assumes office within five days after swearing an oath.
The new President appoints the Cabinet and, in coordination with the Speaker and the Chairperson of the National Council of Provinces, schedules the Opening of Parliament Address, distinct from the annual State of the Nation Address (SONA). The Opening of Parliament marks the start of the new parliamentary term and outlines the new administration’s plans.
New MPs will undergo an orientation program to familiarize them with parliamentary procedures, ethical guidelines, and legislative responsibilities. The first sitting and onboarding will occur at the Cape Town International Convention Centre (CTICC). Parliament will later provide details on establishing the National Council of Provinces for the seventh democratic Parliament.
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Source: The Conversation
Picture: Pixabay
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