Parliament finalising key issues ahead of elections and establishment of fifth Democratic Parliament
The National Assembly (NA) had its last plenary sitting today but its Members may have to return to Parliament for further sittings before the general election in May.
This could happen if the National Council of Provinces (NCOP) refers legislation back to the NA for concurrence. A plenary sitting of the NCOP on 26 March is scheduled to finalise all the bills still before that House.
Unlike the NA, the NCOP does not dissolve. Members of the NCOP remain members until the next members are appointed, after the general election on 7 May.
The NA is dissolved by resolution of the House or automatically when its term expires. However, it remains competent to function from the time that it is dissolved or its term expires, until the day before the election.
After the election, the Chief Justice sets the date and time of the first sitting of the NA but this must not be more than 14 days after the election result has been declared.
At its first sitting, the NA elects the Speaker and Deputy Speaker of the NA and also the President of the Republic. If there is more than one nomination for these positions, a secret ballot is conducted in the NA Chamber and the results are made known as soon as the votes have been tallied.
The Chief Justice also sets the date and time for the first sitting of the NCOP and this must not be more than 30 days after the election results of the provincial legislatures have been declared.
All matters, including bills, lapse at the end of the last sitting day of a term of the NA or when the NA is dissolved.
However, after the elections, the NA and NCOP may resolve to revive bills that were before them at the end of the fourth democratic Parliament. The Houses can revive bills at the stage which they reached at the end of the fourth democratic Parliament.
