Parliament goes into two-month recess

As stipulated in the Parliament Standing Orders, the parliament has commenced its two-month recess today.

The Standing Orders state that the parliament will reconvene in March 2013.

The first session, as per the constitution, will commence following the delivery of the presidential statement by the president, describing the country’s situation and areas that require attention and rectification.

The parliament was not productive during its three sessions this year. It had to be halted due to the political unrest that followed the change of government in February. Nonetheless, important bills were passed in the final session, including the Bill on Political Parties, Bill on Privileges of Members of Parliament, Bill on Parole, and Bill on Privatisation. The report by the Public Accounts Committee after reviewing the state wage structure was also passed by the parliament, and several other important resolutions of national interest were passed.

The past three sessions were the most chaotic in the history of the parliament, and Parliament Members have come under heavy scrutiny and criticism.