News / National
MPs will not fit in parliament, some to sit in the gallery
19 Aug 2013 at 12:02hrs | Views
Clerk of Parliament Austin Zvoma told journalists that there will be 350 parliamentarians for both National Assembly and Senate.
"...plus there will be 5 presidential appointees plus 1 national registrar," he added.
Mr Zvoma said the seating in national assembly is going to be squashed as the 270 lawmakers are over 100 past the capacity design.
"270 MPs will not fit, some will have to sit in the gallery, others can stand in the corridors, but anyway we don't always expect 100% attendance, so there will be room for MPs," joked Mr Zvoma.
Mr Zvoma said they are still waiting for the fixing of the parliament swearing in date. President Robert Mugabe will fix the date of parliament swearing and the election of the speaker of parliament. The selection of speaker of assembly and Senate president will be done by Zvoma under supervision of ZEC
Mr Zvoma said parliamentarians will be sworn in batches because of the large numbers involved.
"We'll swear in parliamentarians in batches as they are many," said Zvoma.
MPs will get lessons on how parliament works, standing orders, guide to parliament to familiarise MPs with various departments and staff. This will help newcomers like Joseph Chinotimba.
"We will organise passports for MPs if they don't have any, we will also give them parliament IDs."
Opening of parliament is anticipated to be done soon after they have the swearing in processes and election of the speaker has been done," said Zvoma.
"Mugabe yet to announce date for opening of parliament," added Zvoma.
Mr Zvoma refuse to answer question about how much MPs will get as a salary.
"MPs are guaranteed of a salary, vehicles, loans which will be reviewed time to time..." said Mr Zvoma.
"...plus there will be 5 presidential appointees plus 1 national registrar," he added.
Mr Zvoma said the seating in national assembly is going to be squashed as the 270 lawmakers are over 100 past the capacity design.
"270 MPs will not fit, some will have to sit in the gallery, others can stand in the corridors, but anyway we don't always expect 100% attendance, so there will be room for MPs," joked Mr Zvoma.
Mr Zvoma said they are still waiting for the fixing of the parliament swearing in date. President Robert Mugabe will fix the date of parliament swearing and the election of the speaker of parliament. The selection of speaker of assembly and Senate president will be done by Zvoma under supervision of ZEC
Mr Zvoma said parliamentarians will be sworn in batches because of the large numbers involved.
"We'll swear in parliamentarians in batches as they are many," said Zvoma.
MPs will get lessons on how parliament works, standing orders, guide to parliament to familiarise MPs with various departments and staff. This will help newcomers like Joseph Chinotimba.
"We will organise passports for MPs if they don't have any, we will also give them parliament IDs."
Opening of parliament is anticipated to be done soon after they have the swearing in processes and election of the speaker has been done," said Zvoma.
"Mugabe yet to announce date for opening of parliament," added Zvoma.
Mr Zvoma refuse to answer question about how much MPs will get as a salary.
"MPs are guaranteed of a salary, vehicles, loans which will be reviewed time to time..." said Mr Zvoma.
Source - online
