ISLAMABAD, May 28, 2014: The Punjab Assembly adopted two resolutions relating to Youm-e-Takbir and declaring the birthday of Baba Guru Nanak as a public holiday during 9^th sitting of the 8^th session on Wednesday, says Free and Fair Election Network in its Daily Factsheet.

The Chair, however, did not allow the Leader of the Opposition to move a resolution against the statement of the newly-elected Prime Minister of India, which led to the entire opposition protest for 13 minutes.

The adopted resolutions were presented by Minister for Zakat and Ushr and a minority lawmaker respectively.

Following are some key observations of the Parliamentary business:

Members’ Participation in House Proceedings:

• The Punjab Assembly met for an hour and 39 minutes.
• The sitting started at 1105 hours against the scheduled time of 1000 hours, witnessing a delay of an hour and five minutes.
• There were 40 members at the outset and 110 at the adjournment of the sitting.
• The Speaker presided over the entire sitting.
• The Chief Minister did not attend the proceedings while the Leader of the Opposition was present for 46 minutes.
• The parliamentary leaders of PPPP and JI attended the sitting.
• Three minority members were present.

Representation and Responsiveness

• The Punjab Assembly adopted two resolutions tabled by Minister for Zakat and Ushr regarding Youm-e-Takbir while the other resolution was presented by a minority member wanting to declare the birthday of Baba Guru Nanak as a public holiday.
• Eleven of 26 starred questions (requiring oral as well as written answers) on the Orders of the Day were taken up and responded to by the relevant minister. Additionally, 25 supplementary questions were asked by the members.

Order and Institutionalization

• Lawmakers raised 10 points of order consuming 14 minutes and 30 seconds of the sitting.
• The entire opposition protested for 13 minutes for not allowed permission to move a resolution against the statement of newly elected Prime Minister of India.

Transparency

• ‘Orders of the Day’ was available to the legislators, observers and others.
• Information on members’ attendance was unavailable to observers and the public.

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The Daily Factsheet is based on direct observation of Punjab Assembly proceedings conducted by PATTAN Development Organization, a member organization of FAFEN