ISLAMABAD, December 10, 2014: Starting 50 minutes behind the schedule, the fifth sitting of the Balochistan Assembly’s 15th session witnessed low attendance as 25 members (38%) were present at the start and 23 (35%) at the adjournment, says Free and Fair Election Network (FAFEN).
Seven members – two each belonging to PkMAP, PML-N, PML and one from NP – debated the motion on deteriorating law and order situation in Balochistan for an hour and 52 minutes.
The Chief Minister and the Opposition Leader attended the entire sitting.
Following are some of the key observations of the parliamentary business:
Members’ Participation in House Proceedings:
- The Balochistan Assembly met for two hours and 43 minutes.
- The sitting started at 1650 hours against the scheduled time of 1600 hours, witnessing a delay of 50 minutes.
- A prayer break of 35 minutes was observed during the sitting.
- Twenty-five members (38%) were present at the start and 23 (35%) at the end of the sitting. A maximum of 29 (45%) members were seen at one point of the sitting.
- The Speaker chaired the entire sitting.
- The Chief Minister and the Opposition Leader attended the entire sitting.
- The parliamentary leaders of PML-N, ANP, PML and NP were present.
- Three minority members attended the sitting.
Representation and Responsiveness
- Seven members – two each belonging to PkMAP, PML-N, PML and one from NP – debated the motion on deteriorating law and order situation in Balochistan for an hour and 52 minutes. The motion was tabled in the first sitting.
Order and Institutionalization
- No points of order were raised during the entire sitting.
- No protests/walkouts/boycotts were observed.
Transparency
- ‘Orders of the day’ was available to the legislators, observers and others.
- Information on members’ attendance was not available to 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 regretted