The ECOWAS Parliament has adopted a revised set of internal rules aimed at fostering discipline, accountability, and active engagement among its members.
This development took place during the First Ordinary Session of 2025, convened on Thursday in Abuja.
The revised Rules of Procedure were laid before the Parliament by Honourable Billay G. Tunkara, who serves as both Chair of the Ad Hoc Committee on reforms and the Fourth Deputy Speaker.
A key provision of the reforms states that lawmakers who miss a third of any session without a valid reason risk forfeiting their sitting allowances or being suspended.
Additional highlights of the reforms include measures to:
– Promote gender and language inclusivity in committee roles.
– Enforce a formal dress code for all members.
– Prohibit the use of insulting or derogatory language toward fellow members or Heads of State.
– Set a minimum quorum of 50 members to officially commence a session.
– Require the Speaker to hand over the chair to a Deputy Speaker before taking part in any debate, in a bid to maintain fairness and impartiality.
The Parliament expressed optimism that these reforms will enhance decorum, stimulate more active participation, and improve the overall standard of parliamentary discussions.
