ISLAMABAD, May 11, 2015: The Balochistan Assembly could not take up any of the question on its agenda as the relevant minister was not present for the sitting on Monday, says Free and Fair Election Network (FAFEN).
The sitting started 41 minutes behind the schedule with 17 lawmakers (26%) present at the start and 23 (35%) at the time of adjournment. The House adopted a resolution demanding electricity rates at par with Iran in districts where the power is being supplied by the neighbouring country.
Following are some key observations of the assembly proceedings:
Members’ Participation in House Proceedings
- The Balochistan Assembly met for an hour and 31 minutes.
- The sitting started at 1641 hours against the scheduled time of 1600 hours.
- 17 lawmakers (26%) were present at the start and 23 (35%) at the end of the sitting.
- A maximum of 28 (43%) members attended the sitting.
- The sitting was entirely chaired by Deputy Speaker.
- The Chief Minister and the Opposition Leader attended the entire sitting.
- The parliamentary leaders of PML and JUI-F were present.
- One minority member attended the sitting.
- Eight members applied for leave.
Output
- The House adopted a resolution tabled by a NP leader demanding electricity rates at par with Iran in districts where the power is being supplied by the neighbouring country.
Representation and Responsiveness
- The question hour was not held due to the absence of the Health Minister.
- The Chair admitted an adjournment motion regarding an attack on an adviser to the Chief Minister for a debate in the next sitting.
- No protests/boycotts/walkouts were witnessed during the sitting.
Order and Institutionalization
- Fourteen points of order consumed 31 minutes (34%) of the sitting.
- A JUI-F lawmaker pointed the quorum at 1643 hours, which was found complete upon counting.
Transparency
- ‘Orders of the Day’ was available to the legislators, observers and others.
- Information on legislators’ attendance was not available to the observers and the public.
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This daily factsheet is based on direct observation of the Balochistan Assembly proceedings conducted by Center for Peace and Development (CPD) – a member organization of FAFEN. Errors and omissions are excepted.