In all, 167 Members of Parliament elected during the February 9, 2020 twin municipal and legislative elections received the tri-coloured sash of office as well as the insignia reserved for members of the National Assembly.

Although this first session as of right opened last week, the MPs could only receive their attributes today given that six commissions had been put in place to study and verify the credential of the lawmakers in keeping with section 6(1) of the Standing Orders of the House.

“The verification of cases of incompatibility shall be conducted by Boards set up for that purpose. Each Verification Board shall rule on the individual cases of Members of the National Assembly whose names appear on the list submitted to it,” the provision states.

At the beginning of each legislative period as well as the opening of the first ordinary session of the National Assembly, the Eldest Member present and the two youngest members shall form the Provisional Bureau which shall remain in office until the Permanent Bureau of the National Assembly is elected, Section 14 (1) furthers.

Therefore, Hon. Koa Mfegue Laurentine epse Mbede and her team are expected to chair the plenary session to elect a new House Speaker, probably this Tuesday. The Permanent Bureau of the National Assembly shall be elected prior to any deliberations.

The Permanent Bureau of the National Assembly shall comprise:  a President; a Senior Vice-President; 5 (five) Vice-Presidents; 4 (four) Questors; and 12 (twelve) Secretaries. The Secretary-General of the National Assembly shall be ex officio member of the Permanent Bureau.

The President of the National Assembly shall be elected through a uninominal ballot by absolute majority of the valid votes cast. The incumbent House Speaker, Cavayé Yéguié Djibril is expected to seek reelection. He came back to the country Saturday from France where he was receiving medical care and was part of today’s attributes conferment ceremony alongside other members of government and those of the judiciary.

Election of 13 new MPs March 22

The electorate of eleven electoral constituencies in Cameroon’s North West and South West Regions will choose 13 Members of Parliament Sunday, March 22, 2020 in rerun polls, a presidential decree has said.

The decree signed by President Paul Biya Friday, March 6, 2020 follows Constitutional Council decision no. 29/SRCER/G/20 of February 25, 2020 to cancel the election of Members of Parliament in the following constituencies: North West Region – Menchum North, Bui West, Mezam South, Bui Centre, Bui South, Mezam Centre, Momo East, Menchum South, Momo West and Mezam North – and South West Region – Lebialem.