Standing Orders SONU Parliament

Published by: Friedrich Ebert Stiftung(FES), P.O.Box 14932, Nairobi, Kenya. Peponi Road, Peponi Plaza. Telefax:+254–2–3748338/9 E-mail: kenia@fes.de and Student Organisation of Nairobi University(SONU) P.O. Box 30197 Nairobi © Friedrich Ebert Stiftung(FES) ISBN: 9966-957-86-3 Design& layout: Chai Safari Baya Tel: 254 2 312328 Email: info@sunburstnet.com SONU Parliament STANDING ORDERS ii

Table of Contents Part I Preamble 1 1. Preamble Part II Introduction and Interpretation 1 2. Introduction 3. Interpretation Part III First Meeting of the House and Swearing in of Members 2 4. Proceedings in Assembly of a New House 5. Election of Speaker 6. Swearing-in of Members 7. Election of Deputy Speaker Part IV Normal Business of the House 4 8. Beginning of Parliamentary Session 9. Quorum of the House 10. Agenda 11. Sitting of the House 12. Duration of Contributing Part V Rules Guiding Debate 5 13. Proceedings to be in Kiswahili or English 14. Members to Address Mr. Speaker 15. Two or more Members Rising to Speak 16. Speeches May not be Read 17. Speaking Twice to a Motion 18. No Member to Speak after Question put 19. Point of Order 20. Declaration of Interest 21. Responsibility for Statement of Fact 22. Member who has Spoken to Question may Speak to Amendment 23. Closure of Debate Part VI Questions 7 24. Notices of Questions 25. Contents of Questions 26. Questions to Members of Executive 27. Supplementary Questions 28. Answers Part VII Journals and Records 9 29 Journals Of The House 30 Summary Of Proceedings SONU Parliament STANDING ORDERS iii

Part VIII Order of Business 9 31 Order Paper to be Prepared and Circulated 32 Order of Proceedings 33 Orders of the Day to be Read without Question Part IX House Committees 10 34 House Business Committee 35 Public Accounts Committee 36 Speaker’s Committee 37 Standing Orders Committee 38 Discipline and Privileges Committee Part X Motions and Amendment 12 39 Notice of Motions 40 Amendments of Notices of Motions 41 Certain Motions not to be Moved 42 Time for Moving Motions 43 Motion Withdrawn may be Moved again 44 Motions which may be Moved without Notice 45 Manner of Debating Motions and Amendments thereto 46 Amendments to be in Writing 47 Amendments to be Relevant to Motion 48 Question Proposed after Motion made 49 Motion in Possession of the House 50 Question as Amended put 51 When Amendment Proposed but not made Part XI Order in the House and in the Committee of the Whole House 17 52 Maintenance of Order 53 When Mr. Speaker Rises 54 Members and the Chair 55 Members to be Seated 56 Disorderly Conduct 57 Speaker or Chairman of Committee 58 Withdrawing from Precints of Parliament 59 When Members May be Suspended 60 Duration of Suspension 61 Rights and Privileges after Suspension 62 Action for Refusal to Withdraw 63 Grave Disorder 64 Missing Sessions Part XII Strangers 21 65 Places where Strangers are not Admitted 66 Withdrawal of Strangers from Chambers Part XIII Seating Arrangement 21 67 Seating In The Chamber SONU Parliament STANDING ORDERS iv

Prayer Almighty God, who in thy wisdom and goodness hast appointed the offices of rulers and parliaments for the welfare of society and the sober community of University Students: we beseech thee to behold with thy abundant favour us thy servants. Let they blessings descend upon us here assembled and grant that we may treat and consider all matters that shall come under our deliberation in so just and faithful a manner as to promote thy Honour and Glory, and to advance the peace, prosperity and welfare of this our community and those whose interests thou has committed to our charge. Amen SONU Parliament STANDING ORDERS v

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT The idea of establishing a student parliament started three years ago. The idea which was geared towards reducing the incidents of violence at the university of Nairobi by establishing the culture of dialogue and alternative dispute resolution mechanism, seemed too remote at the time. A group of three serious and forward looking students messers Robert Muriuki Mbogori, Nicholas Midiwo and Joab Mwange organised a conference with financial assistance by Friedrich Ebert Stiftung(FES) in November 2001 aimed at airing their thought to other members of students fraternity with a determination to improve the image of university students as well as work towards a violence free university. Another conference was organised at Kenvash Hotel one year later as a follow up to the same idea. Following the reinstatement of students organization of Nairobi university(SONU) early this year the university of Nairobi students adopted Students Parliament as a supreme organ of SONU. However due to lack of rules and regulations of managing the parliament we have not made much success as anticipated. It is in the above respect that a group of six members of the Students Parliament namely Murage Njagagua (Speaker),Robert Muriuki Mbogori(Clerk),Tedd Munovi(SONU Chairman),Michael Koome Mburugu(SONU Vice Chairman), Mwengi Mutuse(SONU Organising Secretary) and Makhokha Wanjala(SONU Secretary General) with technical assistance from Mr. P.C. Omolo Owino(Deputy Clerk, National Assembly) devoted their time and energy to come up with these Standing Orders to guide debate and proceedings in our parliament. Special thanks goes to Friedrich Ebert Stiftung for the financial as well as professional and technical input, towards this project and publication of this book.In this respect we would like to thank the Resident Director, Dr.Roland Schwartz and the Programme Manager,Wanjiku Mbugua. Student’s organization of Nairobi university acknowledges with thanks the contribution of all it’s members and experts especially Mr.Omolo,Hon.Peter Oloo Aringo nominated Member of Parliament,Fr.Dr.Wamugunda Wakimani(Chaplain University of Nairobi) and Prof. Crispus Kiamba(Vice Chancellor, University of Nairobi) whose contributions made this Standing Orders book a reality. Finally to the users of this book – it’s real value lies in you using it to guide your contribution in Students Parliament. Murage Njagagua Speaker, Students Parliament University of Nairobi. Tedd Munovi Chairman, Students Organization of Nairobi University(SONU) SONU Parliament STANDING ORDERS vi

PART 1 – PREAMBLE (1) Aware of the need to enhance our capacity for dialogue, peaceful conflict resolution and participation in popular democracy: recognizing the challenges we face as a leadership, striving to establish a new tradition through a process of cultural reform. We, the student of University of Nairobi hereby as firm proof of our individuals and collective commitment to run our student parliament within these rules for which we take responsibility. PART II – INTRODUCTION AND INTERPRETATION In cases not provided for, Mr. Speaker to decide (2)(a) In all cases where matters are not expressly provided for by the standing orders of the House, procedural questions shall be decided by Mr. Speaker. (b) The decisions made in paragraph 2(a) shall be based on the usage, forms, precedents, customs, procedure and traditions of the student parliament and other jurisdictions to the extent of compatibility. Interpretation (3) For purposes of these standing orders, the following terms shall be contrived to mean: (a)“Clerk” means the clerk of the house, if he is absent or if the office is vacant, such other students as for the time being performing duties of the Clerk by direction of the Executive. (b)“The President” means the Chairman of SONU`98. (c) Reference to Mr. Speaker shall be deemed to include reference to the Deputy Speaker when presiding over SONU Parliament STANDING ORDERS 1

the House and any member of the House. (d) Congress shall mean a body comprising executive members and eighty three congress members. (e) Congress ladies means female students who are elected to the congress. (f) Congressmen means male students who are elected to the congress. (g) Standing orders shall mean rules of procedure established to govern the conduct of business by the congress. (h) Student parliament – means a body comprising of executive members, congressmen and congress ladies. (i) Executive means the government, i.e.,“cabinet” of the SONU`98. (j) Normal business meetings – means regular students parliament meetings which are not called to debate any special agenda. (k) Recess – means all the students are out of session, i.e., December Holiday. (l) Stranger(s) – means people who are not members of student parliament. (m)Session – means the period when the student parliament is sitting. PART III – FIRST MEETING OF THE HOUSE AND SWEARING IN OF MEMBERS Proceedings in assembly of a New House (4)(a) The Clerk shall convene the first meeting of the House 14 days after the elections. (b) On assembly of a new House pursuant to the President’s proclamation the list of names of the SONU Parliament STANDING ORDERS 2

members of the house shall be laid on the table by the Clerk and the House shall thereafter proceed to the election of a Speaker. (c) The Clerk shall administer the oath or affirmation of allegiance to the new speaker in the presence of the assembled House. Election of Speaker (5)(a) A Speaker shall be elected when the House first meets. (b) Any casual vacancy in the office of the Speaker must be filled before any business is carried on. (c) Candidates for elections to the office of the speaker shall submit their nomination papers to the Clerk at least seven days before the election date. Any student who qualifies for elections as member of the students’ parliament or is a member of the students’ parliament is qualified to contest. (d) Voting shall be by secret ballot and the Clerk shall conduct the counting of the votes. (e) A person shall not be elected as speaker, unless he is supported by votes of two-thirds of all members of the House and if no candidate is supported by the votes of two-thirds of all members a further ballot shall be held. Provided that, if in the second ballot no candidate is supported by the votes of two-thirds of all members, the candidate who in that ballot receives the highest number of votes and the candidate who in the ballot receives the next highest number of votes shall alone SONU Parliament STANDING ORDERS 3

stand for election in the third ballot and the candidate who receives the highest number of votes in the third ballot shall be elected. (f) A candidate may, by written notice to the Clerk, withdraw his name before the ballot is started. (g) Notwithstanding anything to the contrary herein before appearing, if there is only one candidate duly nominated, that candidate shall be declared forthwith to have been elected the Speaker. Swearing of members (6)(a) Immediately after election of the Speaker, the Speaker having been sworn in, he shall then administer the oath of affirmation of allegiance to the other members. Deputy Speaker (7)(a) Election of Deputy Speaker shall be conducted as soon as practicable after the election of Speaker. (b) The procedure in electing a Deputy Speaker shall be the same as that prescribed for election of Speaker. PART IV – NORMAL BUSINESS OF THE HOUSE (8)(a) Members shall enter the House, following which the Speaker shall enter the House Quorum (9) Quorum for normal meeting shall be 20 members. (10) The Clerk shall publish the agenda for the House by way of an order paper. SONU Parliament STANDING ORDERS 4

Sitting (11) Parliamentary sittings shall be held at least every 14 days on a Thursday unless there is a special agenda to be discussed. The sittings for normal business shall last three hours beginning 5.00 p.m. provided that at the discretion of the speaker, the time may be extended upon the raising of a motion in that connection. Duration of contributions (12) A member shall be allowed to make a contribution on the business of the day for a maximum of three minutes unless he is a mover of a motion, whereupon, he shall be allowed ten minutes. Languages in the House PART IV – RULES OF DEBATE (13) All proceedings shall be in English or Kiswahili: Provided that a member who begins his speech in either of these languages continues in the same language. Members to address Mr. Speaker (14) Every member desiring to speak shall rise in his place and address himself to Mr. Speaker. Two or more members rising to speak (15) If more than one member rises at the same time, the member called upon by Mr. Speaker shall be entitled to speak. Speeches may not be read (16) No member shall read his speech but he may read short extracts from written or printed papers in support of his argument. Reference to notes to refresh his memory may be had; provided that Mr. Speaker may allow a member to read his speech in particular cases for precision of facts. Speaking twice to a (17) No member shall speak to any question more than once. question SONU Parliament STANDING ORDERS 5

No member to speak after question put (18) No member shall speak to any question after the same has been put by the Speaker. Point of order (19)(a) Any member may rise to point of order at any time during the speech of another member stating that he rises to a point of order. The member who was speaking shall there upon resume his seat and the member rising to the point of order shall do likewise when he has concluded his submission. No other member may, except by leave of Mr. Speaker, speak to the point of order. Declaration of interest 20. A member who wishes to speak on any matter in which he has a personal interest shall first declare that interest unless it is obvious. Responsibility for statement 21. A member shall be responsible for the accuracy of any facts, which he alleges to be true and may be required to substantiate any such facts or to withdraw his allegation with suitable apology if Mr. Speaker so requires. Member who has spoken to question may speak to amendment 22. Where an amendment has been moved, and if necessary seconded, any member who has already spoken to the main question may speak to the amendment, and any member who has not spoken to the main question but speaks to the amendment does not thereby forfeit his right to speak to the main question. Closure of debate 23.(a) After the question on a motion the mover of which has the right of reply has been proposed, a member rising in his place may claim to move“That, the mover be now called upon to reply”, and unless Mr. speaker is of opinion that such motion is an abuse of the proceedings of the House, or an infringement of the rights of members, the SONU Parliament STANDING ORDERS 6

question“That, the mover be now called upon to reply”, shall be put forthwith, and decided without amendment or debate. If that question is agreed to, the mover shall, if he so wishes, immediately reply to the debate, and as soon as he has concluded or, if he does not wish to reply, immediately, Mr. Speaker shall put the question. PART IV- QUESTIONS Notice of questions (24)(a) Notices of questions shall be given by members in writing to the Clerk and such notice shall be anytime before any session of the House. (b) The Clerk shall submit every question to the Speaker as soon as possible upon receipt of such a question from a member of the congress. (c) If the Speaker is of the opinion that any question of which a member has given notice to the Clerk is one which infringes any of the provisions of any standing order he may direct that certain alterations be made before the House or that the member concerned be informed that the question is inadmissible. (d) When Mr. Speaker directs that a question is in order, the Clerk shall as soon as possible forward the question to the member of the executive of whom it is asked. Contents of questions (25)(a) Only questions related to student’s affairs shall be allowed in the Parliament. Questions touching on matters of national importance and other issues shall only be allowed after the speaker is satisfied that such issues either directly or indirectly concerns students either within or without the University. SONU Parliament STANDING ORDERS 7

(b) A question shall not be in effect a speech, or limited to give information or framed so as to suggest its own answer or to convey a particular point of view. (c) A question shall not contain any argument, inference, opinion, imputation, or controversial ironical or offensive expression or epithet. (d) A question shall not repeat in substance any question already answered either as a question or in the course of a debate in the current session. (e) A question shall not include the name of any person or any statement not strictly necessary to render the question intelligible; neither shall a question contain any charge, which the member asking the question is not prepared to substitute. (f) A question shall not be asked which makes or upon the conduct of any person whose conduct can only be challenged upon a substantive motion or upon the conduct of any other person otherwise than in his official or public capacity. (g) A question shall not seek an expression of opinion. Questions to members of Executive (26)(a) A question shall be put to a member of the SONU Executive relating to students affairs with which he is officially connected, to proceedings in the House or to any matter of administration for which he is responsible. (b) A question shall be limited to seeking information or pressing for action and shall not be made pretext for a debate. Supplementary Questions (27) Any member may ask a supplementary question for the purpose of elucidating the answer given to the original question but a supplementary question must not introduce a matter not related to the original question. SONU Parliament STANDING ORDERS 8

Answers (28) Answers to any question shall be comprehensive and satisfactory and not evasive. The Speaker may order the member of the Executive concerned to carry out more research and bring a satisfactory answer during the next sitting if he felt that the answer is not satisfactory. PART VII- JOURNALS AND RECORDS (29) All votes and proceedings of the House shall be noted by the Clerk and shall constitute the journals of the House. Official reporting (30) There shall be published a summary of all proceedings of the House. These summary reports shall be typed and kept in the library for perusal by members of the parliament. PART VIII ORDER OF BUSINESS Order paper to be circulated (31) The order paper shall be prepared by the Clerk showing the business to be placed before or taken by the House in the order in which it is to be taken together with such other information as Mr. Speaker may from time to time direct to be shown therein; such order paper shall be circulated as early as possible before the House meets. Order of proceedings (32)(a) Each day after the prayers have been read the House shall proceed with the orders of the day as follows:(i) Matters Other Than Business - Administration of oath - Communication from the chair - Notices of motion - Questions of which notice has been given SONU Parliament STANDING ORDERS 9

(ii) Business Set Down On The Order Paper (b) Business shall be disposed off in the sequence in which it stands upon the order paper or in such other sequence as Mr. Speaker may for the convenience of the House direct. Order of the day to be read (33) The Speaker shall direct the Clerk to read the orders of the day without question put. HOUSE COMMITTEES House Business Committee (34)(a) There shall be a committee to be designated the House Business Committee consisting of not less than five and not more that 7 members, who shall be nominated by the House at the commencement of every session. (b) The House Business Committee shall have and perform the powers and functions conferred on and ascribed to it by these standing orders or from time to time by the House. It shall be a function of the House Business Committee to consider such matters as may from time to time arise in connection with the business of the House. (c) The members shall include the vice chairman in charge of administration, the organizing secretary, the secretary general, the vice chairman academics and one congressman. (d) The chairman elected by members during the first sitting plus two other members shall form a quorum. SONU Parliament STANDING ORDERS 10

(e) If for any reason a member of the House Business Committee is unable to act, the chairman may appoint another member in his stead for the period for which he is unable to act. Public Accounts Committee (35)(a) There shall be a select committee to be designated the Public Accounts Committee for the examination of the accounts of students contributions to Student Union(SONU) and how such amounts are used. The Committee shall consist of five congressmen. (b) The Public Accounts Committee shall elect its own chairman. (c) The chairman and two other members shall form a quorum. (d) In the absence of the chairman, a member designated by him shall take the chair, and in their absence, the members present shall elect one of them to act in his stead. Speakers’ Committee (36)(a) There shall be a select committee to be designated the Speaker’s Committee comprising Mr. Speaker as the chairman, the organising secretary and three congressmen. (b) The Speaker’s Committee shall be responsible for remuneration of members, consider, advise and report on all matters connected with the welfare of congressmen and women and their staff. Standing Orders Committee (37)(a) There shall be a select committee to be designated the Standing Orders Committee which shall SONU Parliament STANDING ORDERS 11

comprise Mr. Speaker as chairman, the Deputy Speaker, and the legal affairs secretary and two congressmen appointed by the House. (b) The Standing Orders Committee shall from time to time consider and report on all matters relating to these standing orders. Discipline and Privilege Committee (38)(a) There shall be select committee designated the Discipline and Privileges Committee which shall comprise the speaker, vice chairman administration, and three congressmen appointed by the House. (b) The committee shall be responsible for discipline of errant members and facilitation of food and catering and other privileges to members during Parliamentary sittings. MOTIONS AND AMENDMENTS Notices of motions (39)(a) Save as otherwise provided by these Standing Orders, notice shall be given by a Member of any motion which he proposes to move. (b) Before giving notice of Motion the member shall deliver to the Clerk a copy of the proposed motion in writing and signed by himself; and the Clerk shall submit the same to Mr. Speaker. (c) If Mr. Speaker is of the opinion that any proposed motion. i) Is one which infringes, or the debate on which is likely to infringe, any of the provisions of these Standing Orders; or SONU Parliament STANDING ORDERS 12

ii) Is contrary to the constitution, without expressly proposing appropriate amendment of the constitution; or iii) Is too long; or iv) Is framed in terms which are inconsistent with the dignity of the House; or v) Contains or implies allegations which Mr. Speaker is not satisfied that the Mover can substantiate; or vi) Calls for the commitment of public funds with no provision is made in annual estimates as adopted by the Congress; he may direct either that, the Motion is inadmissible, or that notice of it cannot be given without such alteration as he may approve. Amendments of Notices of Motions (40) Mr. Speaker may permit a member to move in amended form a Motion of which notice has been given if in the opinion of Mr. Speaker the amendment does not materially alter any principle embodied in the Motion of which notice has been given. Certain Motions not to be moved (41) No motion may be moved which is the same in substance as any question which has been resolved(in the affirmative or in the negative) during the preceding two months in the same session Provided that a Motion to rescind the decision of such a question may be moved with the permission of Mr. Speaker. Time for moving motion (42)(a) A member who has a motion standing in his name may authorize in writing some other member to move that motion in his stead. SONU Parliament STANDING ORDERS 13

(b) Where no member moves a motion at the time prescribed therefore by or under these Standing Orders, such motion shall not again be published in the Order paper during the same session except with the leave of Mr. Speaker. Motions withdrawn may be moved again (43) A notice of Motion may be withdrawn by the member who gave notice, but notice of the same motion may be given again either by the same or by any other member. Motions which may be moved without notice (44) The following motions may be moved without notice: (a) A motion by way of amendment to a question already proposed from the Chair. (b) A motion for the adjournment of the House or of debate. (c) A motion for the withdrawal of stranger. (d) A motion that the House do resolve itself, into a Committee of the whole House. (e) A motion moved when the House is in committee. (f) A motion made in accordance with Standing Orders governing the procedure as to Bills. (g) A motion for the agreement of the House with a Committee of the Whole House in a resolution reported, or for the recommittal thereof or for the postponement of the further consideration thereof. (h) A motion raising a question of privilege. (i) A motion for the orders of the House under these Standing Orders. Manner of debating motions and amendments thereto (45)(a) When a motion has been moved and if necessary seconded, Mr. Speaker shall propose the questions thereon in the same terms as the Motion, and debate may then take place upon that question. SONU Parliament STANDING ORDERS 14

(b) At the conclusion of the debate, Mr. Speaker shall put the question. (c) Any amendment to the Motion which a member wishes to propose in accordance with the provisions of these Standing Orders may be moved and if necessary seconded at any time after the question upon the Motion has been proposed and before it has been put. When every such amendment has been disposed off Mr. Speaker shall either again propose the question upon the Motion or propose the question upon the Motion as amended as the case may require, and after any further debate which may arise thereon, shall put the question. (d) Upon any amendment to leave out any of the words of the Motion, the question to be proposed shall be “That, the words proposed to be left out, be left out of question.” (e) Upon any amendment to insert words in, or add words at the end of a Motion, the question to be proposed shall be“That the words(of the amendment) be inserted”(or“added”). (f) Upon any amendment to leave out words and or insert or add other words instead, a question shall first be proposed“That, the words proposed to be left out be let out of question,” and if that question is agreed to, the question shall then be proposed“That, the words(of the amendment) to be inserted”(or “added”). If the first question is negatived no further amendment may be proposed to the words which it has been decided shall be left out. (g) When two or more amendments are proposed to be moved to the same Motion, Mr. Speaker shall call upon the movers in the order in which their SONU Parliament STANDING ORDERS 15

amendments related to the text of the motion, or in cases of doubt in such orders as he shall decide: Provided that no amendment may be moved which relates to any words which it has been decided shall not be left out of a Motion. (h) Any amendment to and if necessary seconded at any time after the question upon the original amendment has been proposed and before it has been put. (i) When every such amendment to an amendment has been disposed off, Mr. Speaker shall either propose the question upon the original amendment or propose the question upon the original amendment as amended as the case may require. Amendment to be in writing (46) The proposer of an amendment shall, before moving it, hand the amendment in writing, signed by himself, to the Clerk. Amendments to be relevant to motion (47) a) Every amendment shall be relevant to the question which it seeks to amend and shall not raise any question which, in the opinion of Mr. Speaker, should be raised by a substantive Motion after notice given. b) No amendment shall be permitted if in the opinion of Mr. Speaker it represents a direct negative of the question proposed. Question proposed after motion made (48) The question on any motion shall not be proposed unless it shall have been seconded. A Motion not seconded shall be deemed to have been withdrawn, and shall not be moved again in the same Session: SONU Parliament STANDING ORDERS 16

Provided that a Motion in Committee shall not require to be seconded. Motion of possession of the House (49) After the question has been proposed on a Motion; the Motion shall be deemed to be in the possession of the House, and cannot be withdrawn without the leave of the House. Question as amended put (50) When a question has been amended it shall, when put, be put as amended. Question as amended put (51) When any amendment has been proposed but no amendment has been made the question when put shall be put as originally proposed. PART XI – ORDER IN THE HOUSE AND IN THE COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE HOUSE Maintenance of order (52) Orders shall be maintained in the House by Mr. Speaker and in a committee of the whole House by the Chairman of such committee; but disorder in Committee may be censured only by the House on receiving a report thereof. When Mr. Speaker rises members to be silent (53) Whenever Mr. Speaker or the Chairman of Committees rises any Member then speaking, or offering to speak, shall sit down and the house or committee shall be silent, so that Mr. Speaker or the Chairman of Committees may be heard without interruption. Members and the Chair (54) Every Member shall bow to the Chair in passing to or from his seat or across the floor of the House. SONU Parliament STANDING ORDERS 17

Members to be seated (55) Except when passing to and from his seat or when speaking every member when in the Chamber shall be seated, and shall not at any time stand in any of the passages and gangways. Members to remain in their palaces until Mr. Speaker has left the Chamber Irrelevance or repetition (56) When the House adjourns, members shall stand in their places until Mr. Speaker has left the Chamber. (57) Mr. Speaker or the Chairman of Committees, after having called attention to the conduct of a Member who persists in irrelevance or tedious repetition either of his own arguments or the arguments used by other Members in debate, may, after having first warned him direct him to discontinue his speech. Disorderly conduct (58) a) Mr. Speaker or the Chairman of the Committees shall order any member whose conduct is grossly disorderly to withdraw immediately from the precincts of the Assembly during the reminder of that day’s seating; and the Serjeant-at-Arms shall act on such orders as he may receive from the Chair in pursuance of this Standing Order; but if on any occasion Mr. Speaker or the Chairman deems that his powers under the foregoing provisions of this Standing Order are inadequate, he may name such member or members, in which even the procedure prescribed in Standing Order 62(Member may be suspended after being named) shall be followed. b) Conduct is grossly disorderly not only if the Member concerned creates actual disorder, but also if he knowingly raises a false point of order, or commits any serious breach of these Standing Orders, or SONU Parliament STANDING ORDERS 18

persists in making serious allegations without(in Mr. Speaker’s opinion) adequate substantiation or otherwise abuses his privileges, or deliberately gives false information to the House or refuses to answer a legitimate question or acts in any other way to the serious detriment of the dignity or orderly procedure of the House. c) Any member may at any time, as a point of order, invite Mr. Speaker to name another member for grossly disorderly conduct, but the decision whether or not to do so shall remain with Mr. Speaker. Members may be suspended after being named (59) Whenever a member shall have been named by Mr. Speaker or by the Chairman then: (a) If the offence has been committed by such Member in House, then a motion shall be made by any other member present“That, such member(naming him) be suspended from the service of the House,” and Mr. Speaker shall forthwith put the question thereon, no amendment, adjournment, or debate being allowed; (b) If the offence has been commitment in a Committee of the Whole House, the Chairman shall forthwith leave the Chair and report the circumstances to the House; and Mr. Speaker shall, on a motion as aforesaid being made, forthwith put the question, no amendment, adjournment or debate being allowed, as if the offence had been committed in the House itself. Time during which member may be suspended (60) If any member be suspended under Standing Order 62 (Member may be suspended after being named) his SONU Parliament STANDING ORDERS 19

suspension on the first occasion shall be for three days including the day of suspension; on the second occasion during the same Session for seven days, including the day of suspension; and on the third day or any subsequent occasion during the same Session for 28 days, including the day of suspension. Members suspended to be withdrawn from precincts of the Assembly (61) Any member who is ordered under Standing Order 61 (Disorderly Conduct) or who is suspended after being named shall forthwith withdraw from the precincts of the Assembly and shall during the period of such withdrawal or suspension continuously(except during a recess) forfeit his right of access thereto. Action to be taken on refusal to withdrawal (62) If any member shall refuse to withdraw when required by or under these Standing Orders, Mr. Speaker or the Chairman of Committee as the case may be, having called attention of the House or Committee to the fact that recourse to force is necessary in order to compel such members shall thereupon without question put to be suspended from the service of the House during the remainder of the Session and shall during such suspension forfeit his right of access to the precincts of the Assembly. Grave disorder (63) a) In an event of grave disorder arising in the Committee, Mr. Speaker shall resume the Chair forthwith. b) In an event of grave disorder arising in the House, Mr. Speaker may, if he deems it necessary so to do, adjourn the House forthwith or suspend any sitting for a period to be named by him. SONU Parliament STANDING ORDERS 20

Missing sessions (64) Any member of student parliament who misses three consecutive sittings without the knowledge of the Speaker shall have his/her seat will be declared vacant. PART XII- STRANGERS Places to which strangers are not admitted (65) No member of the House shall bring any stranger into any part of the Chamber appropriate to the Members of the House while the House or Committee of the whole House is sitting. Withdrawal of strangers from the Chambers (66) If at any sitting of the House or in a committee of the whole House any member shall move that strangers be ordered to withdraw, Mr. Speaker or the Chairman shall forthwith put question, no amendment, no adjournment or debate being allowed and upon such question being resolved in the affirmative all strangers shall be ordered to withdraw from the Chamber. PART XIII- SITTING ARRANGEMENT Seating in the Chamber (67) a) All seats of the Chamber to the right of the Mr. Speaker shall be reserved for the exclusive use of Executive Members. b) All seats of the Chamber to the left of Mr. Speaker shall be reserved for congressmen and congress ladies. SONU Parliament STANDING ORDERS 21

SONU Parliament STANDING ORDERS 22