ISLAMABAD, July 29, 2013: Points of order consumed 86% of the first sitting of the Senate’s 96^th session on Monday as Senators expressed views on the rescheduling of the Presidential election.

On 11 points of order, the members on the opposition benches criticized the decision to reschedule the Presidential election from August 6 to July 30. A Senator of the ruling party – PMLN – also shared his opinion.

Though it was a Private Members’ Day in the Senate, none of the agenda on the Orders of the Day was taken up.

The Leader of the House and the Opposition attended the proceedings. Also present were the parliamentary leaders of ANP, JUIF and NP.

Following are some key observations of the parliamentary business: 

Members’ Participation in House Proceedings

• The Senate met for one hour and 50 minutes.
• The sitting started at 1634 hours against the scheduled starting time of 1600 hours, witnessing a delay of 34 minutes.
• The Deputy Chairman chaired the sitting.
• The Leader of the House and the Leader of the Opposition attended the sitting.
• The parliamentary leaders of ANP, JUIF and NP were present whereas those of MQM, PML, BNPA and PMLF were absent.
• Eighteen Senators were present at the outset while 45 were there at the time of adjournment. A maximum of 45 Senators were present at one point of the sitting.
• Two minority Senators attended the proceedings.
• Two Senators applied for leave.
• Two Senators from Balochistan took oath. 

Order and Institutionalization

• Eleven points of order consumed 95 minutes of the sitting time. Senators debated the decision the rescheduling of the presidential elections.

Transparency

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

The Daily Factsheet is based on direct observation of the Senate proceedings conducted by Centre for Peace and Development Initiatives (CPDI), a member organization of FAFEN