QUESTION OF THE DAY
CAN NATIONAL ASSEMBLY MEMBERS DO AWAY WITH THE STANDING ORDERS?
The answer to this question is definitely no.
The National Assembly has to function in accordance with standards so that decisions on any matter can be predictable and fair. For example, how do you select a member of a select committee? This cannot depend on the wish or prejudice of any person but on the Standing Orders.
This is why every member of the National Assembly should make it a point of duty to master it and apply it consistently. The Speaker in particular is duty bound to ensure that proceedings are conducted in accordance with the Standing Orders, meaning he/she more than anybody else must master the Standing Orders.
