Parliamentary Questions, Petitions & Motions
Presentation of Public Petitions
Under Standing Order No. 18, any citizen residing within the Western Province may submit a petition concerning public grievances or administrative injustice through an elected Council Member.
Presented formally on the floor of the Chamber, petitions stand referred to the Standing Committee on Public Petitions for investigation.
Members may submit formal questions addressed to Provincial Ministers on departmental administration. Question Time is allocated a maximum of thirty (30) minutes per sitting.
- Individual questions must not exceed 150 words in length.
- Daily Order Papers may contain a maximum of 15 questions, with no member exceeding 03 questions per sitting.
- Questions touching sub-judice matters, personal character, or constitutional dignitaries are strictly prohibited.
Privilege Motions
Interference with a member’s official duties or willful misrepresentation of speeches in news media constitutes breach of privilege, taking precedence over all ordinary chamber business.
Personal Explanations
With prior consent of the Chairman, a member may deliver a brief personal statement to clarify their conduct or position; no floor debate is permitted thereon.
Votes of Condolence & Leave
Condolence motions honor deceased members, former governors, and national statesmen. Formal motions grant leave of absence up to ninety (90) days.
Enactment of Provincial Statutes (Legislation)
A Provincial Statute constitutes operative regional law within the Western Province. Under Standing Order No. 37, trilingual draft bills submitted to the Council Secretary achieve formal enactment through three parliamentary stages:
1. First Reading (Introduction)
The long title of the draft statute is formally read to the assembly by the Council Secretary. No floor debate occurs at this stage; copies are circulated to all members and scheduled on the forthcoming Order Paper.
2. Second Reading & Committee Stage
A comprehensive plenary debate is held on the fundamental principles and policy merits of the proposed enactment. Upon conclusion, the draft bill is referred to the Committee of the Whole House or the Standing Committee on Statutes for clause-by-clause scrutiny and amendment.
3. Third Reading & Enactment
The bill as amended is submitted for final floor deliberation and voting. Following passage, the Chairman affixes the official Certificate of Enactment. Upon receiving assent from the Hon. Governor and Gazette notification, the statute becomes binding regional law.