Parliament will soon appoint a panel of Speakers to preside over the house in the absence of the Speaker and Deputy Speaker. This is contained among several proposals tabled by the Parliament Standing Committee on Rules Privileges and Discipline in parliament .
The Committee chaired by West Budama North MP Fox Odoi proposes that four assistant Speakers who will be are appointed from the backbench at the commencement of each session of Parliament and any of them may be called upon to chair the House in absence of the substantive speaker and deputy speaker of parliament .
The MPS Rules committee noted that the practice already tried out in the Parliaments of Kenya, Malawi, Zambia and Philippines would reduce on backlog in Parliamentary business.
Legislators have also proposed the alteration of the sitting arrangement inside the chamber of Parliament to provide for specific designated seats for the army representatives and independent MPs.
The current rules of procedure only provide for the government and Opposition sides in the House.
The Committee that was tasked to review the Parliamentary Rules of Procedure has also called for the amendment of rules for election of Members to the East African Legislative Assembly to conform with the constitution and the treaty establishing the East African Community.
If this proposal approved by Parliament, the new rules would also provide for a definition of contempt of Parliament and the breach of Parliamentary privilege.
The report by MPS Contempt of Parliament as any act which obstructs or impedes Parliament , a Member or an officer of Parliament in the performance of its functions, or discharge of his/her duties. Acts that are intended to mislead or deceive Parliament are construed as contempt of Parliament.
The Committee also provides proposals to allow MPs and journalists access the chamber with electronic gadgets, but with guidelines issued by the office of the Speaker.
Legislators are yet to debate and approve the proposals contained in the report tabled by the Parliament Rules Committee.
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