The Constitution expressly provides for quorum in Parliament. This refers to the process or procedure to be undertaken when business is being conducted in Parliament. The law provides that, this must be done in conjunction with Article 94 of the Constitution, which provides for the rules of procedure. In addition to this, the rules of procedure of Parliament may prescribe different quorums for different purposes.

Article 89 goes ahead to provide for voting in Parliament to the effect that any question proposed for the decision of Parliament shall be determined by majority votes of the members present and voting in a manner prescribed by rules of procedure made by Parliament.

The rules of procedure made by Parliament under the Constitution are that firstly, Parliament may make rules to regulate its procedure, including the procedure of its committees. Secondly, Parliament may act notwithstanding a vacancy in its membership this means that having a vacancy in the membership of Parliament does not stop it from conducting business.

In addition to this, the presence or participation of a person not entitled to be present or to participate in the proceedings of Parliament shall not, by itself invalidate those proceedings. This gives an allowance for members of the public to be present during the committee meeting and attend sessions in Parliament.

The speaker, therefore, shall determine the order of business in Parliament and shall give priority to government business, and this may include any bills being moved by the government. Alternatively, a member of Parliament has the right to move a private member’s bill and the member moving the private member’s bill shall be afforded reasonable assistance by the department of government whose area of operation is affected by the bill. The office of the Attorney General shall afford the member moving the private members bill professional assistance in the drafting of the bill.

In conclusion, the person presiding in Parliament shall have neither an original nor a casting vote. If on any question before Parliament the votes are equally divided, the motion shall be lost.