Any member of the National Assembly may move a resolution on a matter of general public interest and the House may vote upon it after a discussion. A resolution may take the form of a declaration of opinion, a recommendation, a message, or a call for action. Although not binding on the government to follow, but a resolution once passed is sent to the government division concerned and it must report back to the Assembly within six months on what action was taken on the resolution.
Why it matters for the National Assembly proceedings?
Resolutions occupy an important space between questions — which seek information — and legislation — which creates binding law. They express the Assembly’s collective opinion on a matter and create a formal record of parliamentary intent. The six-month reporting requirement means that a passed resolution generates a follow-up accountability obligation.
What is in it for citizens?
For citizens, resolutions are the Assembly’s most accessible opinion instrument. When you want to know the House’s formal position on an issue, looking at passed resolutions is a starting point.
Source: Rules 157–169, Rules of Procedure and Conduct of Business in the National Assembly, 2007
The proceedings of the National Assembly are governed by the Rules of Procedure and Conduct of Business in the National Assembly, 2007. The current rules were passed on 23 February 2007 and have since been amended 21 times, most recently on 22 October 2024.
This post is part of FAFEN’s series on parliamentary literacy. Read more of this series here.
