The rules of the National Assembly allow the Speaker to discipline members for misconduct through either withdrawal or suspension. These are distinct actions.
If a member’s conduct is considered grossly disorderly, the Speaker may direct the member to withdraw immediately for the remainder of that day’s sitting. This is a limited measure and does not require a vote of the Assembly.
Formal suspension, however, follows a different process. It applies when a member disregards the authority of the Speaker or consistently and willfully obstructs Assembly proceedings. In such cases, the Speaker first “names” the member, after which the Assembly votes on a motion to suspend them for a period that may extend to the remainder of the session. A suspended member must leave the Assembly precincts.
Why it matters for the National Assembly proceedings?
The distinction between withdrawal (Speaker’s unilateral decision, one day) and suspension (Assembly’s decision, up to one session) is fundamental. For a suspension lasting the remainder of the session, the Speaker cannot act alone — the Assembly must vote. The Assembly can also terminate a suspension at any time on a motion.
What is in it for citizens?
When media reports describe a member being ejected, citizens should distinguish between a one-day withdrawal (at the Speaker’s direction) and a full suspension (requiring an Assembly vote). Both are available under the rules but represent very different levels of seriousness and different lines of authority.
Source: Rules 20–21, 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.
