Emvula proposes National Assembly overhaul

Landless People’s Movement member of parliament Eneas Emvula has proposed a major restructuring of the National Assembly, arguing that the current arrangement is contributing to legislative backlogs and delaying critical bills.

In a proposal submitted to the National Assembly recently, Emvula wants weekly sittings reorganised to prioritise questions to the executive, committee reports, bills and motions in a more structured manner. He also proposes greater use of digital systems, including electronic submission of questions and motions, a live digital order paper and expanded electronic voting to improve efficiency.

Emvula told The Namibian on Tuesday that the proposed changes would expedite parliamentary business, reduce the growing backlog, strengthen oversight and improve the legislature’s effectiveness.

He, however, believes the delays are not merely procedural.

“My take is that either the speaker attempts to frustrate the president for the critical bill not to go through as anticipated, because not many on their side are in agreement with its content, to block president Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah’s success at their 2027 congress or [it is] a confirmation that Swapo’s internal squabbles are keeping the National Assembly’s progress hostage and the opposition is the sacrificial lamb, perceived by the general public as the weak side and not willing to work,” said Emvula.

“We can’t allow that to happen.”

His proposals include dedicating Tuesdays to the tabling of questions and motions, Wednesdays to ministerial statements, committee reports, bills and motivated motions, and Thursdays to executive responses to questions until adjournment.

He also proposes a temporary moratorium on new motions, except those submitted on designated Tuesdays, to help clear the existing backlog while maintaining provisions for urgent motions.

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