Attendance Guidlines

GUIDELINES ON THE ATTENDANCE OF COMMITTEE MEETINGS

In the quest to enhance transparency, the Parliament of Zambia has made provision to allow members of the public and the media to attend meetings of the Portfolio and the General Purposes Committees.

1.0 GENERAL

(i) The dress code for visitors to Parliament has been relaxed. However, those attending Committee meetings will be required to be dressed in a manner befitting the dignity of the House. They should, at the least, be in smart casual.

(ii) Parliament will publicise the programmes of work of the Committees and dates of Committee meetings through the Parliament website and the media (electronic and print).

(iii) At the commencement of every Committee meeting, the Chairperson shall give the appropriate briefing to all those in attendance before the deliberations. He/she shall give a summary of the meeting’s deliberations before closing the meeting.

2.0 THE MEDIA

Members of the media will be required to:

  1. state clearly their names and addresses or the organisations they represent;

 

  1. be factual in their reporting and avoid making conclusions on issues which have not been concluded by the Committees; and

 

  1. merely take records of the proceedings of Committee meetings and NOT to participate.

Notwithstanding (i) and (ii), only those members of the media who are accredited to Parliament will be allowed to attend such Committee meetings.

3.0 THE GENERAL PUBLIC

Members of the general public (either attending in their individual capacities or representing organisations) should:

  1. clearly state their names and addresses and/or the organisations they represent;

 

  1. behave as they would in the Chamber during Parliamentary debates. That is, they should not participate in the proceedings of the Committee meetings unless they are invited to give oral submissions by the Committee;

 

  1. not take into the committee rooms such articles as walking sticks (except for cases of a medical nature), umbrellas, brief cases or parcels of any type, newspapers, magazines or cellular phones. Any such articles must be deposited at the reception; and

 

  1. avoid unnecessary movements while the meeting is in session. In addition, they are advised not to applaud, laugh and converse loudly while the meeting is in progress.

 

4.0 SUBMISSIONS

For those who wish to make submissions to Committees, either as individuals or on behalf their organisations, they should ensure that:

  1. they send written submissions accompanied by signed cover notes to Parliament addressed to the Clerk of the National Assembly. Submissions can also be made through the Parliamentary Constituency Offices located throughout the country;

 

  1. the contents of the document are clear and relevant to the topic or topics reflected on the particular Committee’s Programme of Work;

 

  1. the document is well prepared and factual. All claims in the submissions should be substantiated to avoid hearsay from members of the public;

 

  1. the submission should reach the Office of the Clerk of the National Assembly at least two (2) weeks before the date of the meeting of the Committee to which the author is submitting as advertised. Late submissions may not be considered.

 

Notwithstanding (i), (ii), (iii) and (iv):

• the Committees are not obliged to consider every submission they receive. The Committees reserve the right to accept or reject a written submission;

• once a submission has been formally received by a Committee, through the Office of the Clerk of the National Assembly, it cannot be withdrawn, altered without the Speaker’s approval; and

• all those making submissions shall enjoy the same privileges and immunities that Members of Parliament enjoy on the Floor of the House.

CONTACT PERSONS

Members of the public and other interested parties may contact the following officers in the office of the Clerk:

Ms C Musonda (Ms), Acting Principal Clerk of Committees

Telephone 292425-36 Extension 3129

 

Mr F Nabulyato, Acting Deputy Principal Clerk of Committees (SC)

Telephone 292425-36 Extension 3241

 

Mr H Mulenga, Acting Deputy Principal Clerk of Committees (FC)

 

Telephone 292425-36 Extension 3095