15. It shall establish the institution of the Ombudsman, and select and appoint its
members. It shall determine by law the powers and functions of the institution.
16. It shall, on its own initiative, request a joint session of the House of the
Federation and of the House of Peoples’ Representatives to take appropriate
measures when State authorities are unable to arrest violations of human rights
within their jurisdiction. It shall, on the basis of the joint decision of the
House, give directives to the concerned State authorities.
17. It has the power to call and to question the Prime Minister and other Federal
officials and to investigate the Executive’s conduct and discharge of its
responsibilities.
18. It shall, at the request of one-third of its members, discuss any matter
pertaining to the powers of the executive. It has, in such cases, the power to
take decisions or measures it deems necessary.
19. It shall elect the Speaker and Deputy Speaker of the House. It shall establish
standing and ad hoc committees, as it deems necessary to accomplish its work.
Article 56
Political Power
A political party, or a coalition of political parties that has the greatest number of seats
in the House of Peoples’ Representatives shall form the Executive and lead it.
Article 57
Adoption of Laws
Laws deliberated upon and passed by the House shall be submitted to the Nation’s
President for signature. The President shall sign a law submitted to him within fifteen
days. If the President does not sign the law within fifteen days it shall take effect
without his signature.
Article 58
Meetings of the House, Duration of its Term
1. The presence of more than half of the members of the House constitutes
a quorum.
2.The annual session of the House shall begin on Monday of the final week of
the Ethiopian month of Meskerem and end on the 30th day of the Ethiopian
month of Sene. The House may adjourn for one month of recess during its
annual session.
3.The House of Peoples’ Representatives shall be elected for a term of five
years. Elections for a new House shall be concluded one month prior to the
expire of the House’s term.
4.The Speaker of the House may call a meeting of the House when it is inrecess.
The Speaker of the House is also obliged to call a meeting of the House at the
request of more than one-half of the members.