30
No. 2 of 2016]
Committees
of National
Assembly
80.
Constitution of Zambia (Amendment)
(1) The National Assembly may establish parliamentary
committees.
(2)
Parliamentary committees shall be established at the first
sitting of the National Assembly after a general election and after
the election of the Speaker and the Deputy Speakers.
(3)
The National Assembly shall, in selecting members of a
parliamentary committee, ensure that there is equitable
representation of the political parties holding seats in the National
Assembly and independent Members of Parliament.
(4)
The Standing Orders shall provide for the categories,
functions and procedures of parliamentary committees.
Term and
prorogation
of Parliament
81.
(1) The term of Parliament shall be five years commencing
from the date that the Members of Parliament are sworn into office
after a general election and ending on the date that Parliament is
dissolved.
(2)
The National Assembly may, when the Republic is at war,
by resolution supported by a simple majority vote of the Members
of Parliament, extend the term of Parliament for not more than
twelve months at a time.
(3)
Parliament shall stand dissolved ninety days before the
holding of the next general election.
(4)
Subject to clauses (5), (6) and (7), the President may
dissolve Parliament if the Executive cannot effectively govern the
Republic due to the failure of the National Assembly to objectively
and reasonably carry out its legislative function.
(5)
Where the President intends to dissolve Parliament in
accordance with clause (4), the President shall inform the public
and refer the matter, within seven days, to the Constitutional Court.
(6)
The Constitutional Court shall hear the matter, referred to
it in accordance with clause (5), within seven days of receipt of the
matter.