Secretariat

The Office of the Clerk

CLERK3The Clerk of the National Assembly is appointed in terms of Section Seventy (70) of the Constitution of Botswana. The Clerk is the head of Administration and an Accounting Officer of Parliament and reports to the Speaker of the National Assembly. The main duties of the Clerk of the National Assembly are broadly procedural and administrative.

The Parliament Administration provides a range of administrative and support services to Members of Parliament and Members of Ntlo Ya Dikgosi. The Parliament administrative structure is staffed by officers in the public service and is required to provide services in a neutral manner to all Members of Parliament irrespective of their political affiliations of the members being serviced. The Parliament Administration also provides support services to Members of Ntlo ya Dikgosi.

Parliamentary Counsel

The Parliamentary Counsel shall:

  1. Whilst in the House, be seated to the left of the Speaker’s chair; and
  2. Whilst in the House, be addressed as “Learned Parliamentary Counsel”.

 The functions and duties of the Parliamentary Counsel shall include:

  1. The rendering of legal advice, either on his or her own motion or upon request of the Speaker or a Member on any legal issue, whether substantive or procedural, that might arise in the course of any proceeding of the House or any committee thereof.
  2. Subject to the direction of the Speaker, ensuring that the proceedings of the House, and committees thereof, are conducted in accordance with law and these Standing Orders.
  • Acting as Secretary to the following Parliamentary Committees;
  1. Business Advisory Committee
  2. Committee on Statutory Bodies
  3. Committee on Members’ Rights, Interest and Privileges
  4. Providing legal advice and assistance to Members with respect to the business of the House.
  5. Assisting Members with respect to the drafting of Private Members Bills and proposed amendments to Government Bills.

Whilst in the Ntlo Ya Dikgosi the “Learned Parliamentary Counsel” carries out the following;

  • The rendering of legal advice, either on his/her own motion or upon the request of the Chairperson or a member on any legal issue, whether substantive or procedural that might arise in the course of any proceeding of the House or any other Committee thereof;
  • Subject to the direction of the Chairperson ensuring that the proceedings of the House and Committees thereof, are conducted in accordance with the law and the Rules of Procedure.

Sergeant -At-Arms 

The duties of the Sergeant-At-Arms shall include;

  1. Attending the Speaker on the latter’s entry into, and departure from, the House as well as the carrying and/ or placement of the Mace.
  2. Regulation and control of the admission of visitors and strangers to the galleries of the House and their proper and orderly conduct.
  3. The personal safety and security of Members, officers, on Parliamentary precincts and, to this end, shall exercise supervision and direction of all security personnel in Parliamentary precincts.
  4. The suppression of contumacious, disorderly and disrespectful conduct in the House, including;
  5. Bringing to the Bar of the House Members to be reprimanded, or otherwise dealt with, by the Speaker.
  6. Taking into his or her custody strangers who are irregularly admitted into the House or, have misconducted themselves in the House; and, on the instruction of the Speaker, effecting the removal of both Members and strangers who have been ordered to withdraw.
  7. During sittings of the House, ensuring the observance of proper decorum by Members.

Departments

The Parliament of Botswana has two main departments namely the National Assembly and Ntlo Ya Dikgosi.

National Assembly

The National Assembly facilitates the smooth running of the Parliament business and provides procedural and administrative support to Members of Parliament, stakeholders, general public and staff in general. There are two divisions under the department of the National Assembly namely:

1. Parliamentary Services

This division is made up of the following units:

  • Committees
  • Tables and Journals
  • Recording and Reporting
  • Editing and Graphic Design
  • Research
  • Translation
  • Library and Information Services

2. Corporate Services

This division is made up of the following units:

  • Reforms
  • Human Resources
  • Admin/Accounts
  • Accounting
  • Transport
  • Hospitality
  • Secretarial
  • Records Management
  • Information Technology
  • Public Relations
  • Supplies
  • Procurement
  • Operations

Ntlo Ya Dikgosi

Ntlo Ya Dikgosi is an advisory body to the National Assembly on issues of national interest. This department has three units which are responsible for the administrative issues. The units are as follows:

  • Human Resources
  • Admin/Accounts
  • Report Production

Organizational Structure

 Contact us: Public Relations Office
                      P O Box 240
                      Gaborone
                      Botswana
Toll Free:      0800 600 927
Fax:             (+267) 3913103
Telephone: (+267) 3616800/3705588

email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

www.parliament.gov.bw

 

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