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CAMEROON
Assemblée nationale - National Assembly (National Assembly)

This page contains the full text of the PARLINE database entry on the selected parliamentary chamber, with the exception of Oversight and Specialized bodies modules which, because of their excessive length, can be only viewed and printed separately.

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GENERAL INFORMATION ABOUT THE PARLIAMENTARY CHAMBER

Parliament name Parlement - Parliament
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Structure of parliament Bicameral
Chamber name (generic / translated) Assemblée nationale - National Assembly / National Assembly
Related chamber (for bicameral parliaments) Sénat - Senate / Senate
Affiliation to the IPU Yes
Affiliation date(s) 1963 -
LEADERSHIP
President Djibril Cavayé Yeguie  (M) 
Notes Re-elected on 5 Nov. 2013, 18 March 2014, 17 March 2015, 15 March 2016, 21 March 2017 and on 3 March 2018.
Secretary General Désiré Geoffroy Mbock (M) 
Notes Appointed on 18 June 2018.
COMPOSITION
Members (statutory / current number) 180 / 180
PERCENTAGE OF WOMEN


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Women (current number) 56 (31.11%)
Mode of designation directly elected 180
Term 5 years
Last renewal dates 30 September 2013
(View details)
CONTACT INFORMATION
Address Assemblée nationale
YAOUNDE
(Export mailing lists)
Phone (237) 222 22 04 84
222 22 54 16
222 22 57 24
222 23 50 79
Fax (237) 222 23 54 75
222 22 09 79
E-mail contact@assnat.cm
Website
http://www.assnat.cm

ELECTORAL SYSTEM

Parliament name Parlement - Parliament
Structure of parliament Bicameral
Chamber name (generic / translated) Assemblée nationale - National Assembly / National Assembly
Related chamber (for bicameral parliaments) Sénat - Senate / Senate
LEGAL FRAMEWORK
Electoral law 16 December 1991
Mode of designation directly elected 180
Constituencies 58 departmental constituencies.
Voting system Mixed: Mixed direct voting system:
- simple majority in single-member constituencies
- absolute majority in constituencies where the list system is applicable. If no list obtains an absolute majority, the one with the highest number of votes is allocated half of the seats; the remainder is allocated to the other best-placed lists through proportional representation. Lists obtaining less than 5% of the votes cast are not eligible for proportional distribution. Seats are awarded to candidates in the order in which they appear on each party list.
Vacancies arising between general elections are filled through by-elections held within a period of 12 months. No such elections are held when vacancies arise less than one year before the end of the National Assembly's term.
Voting is not compulsory.

Voter requirements - age: 20 years
- Cameroonian citizenship
- permanent domicile or residence for more than 6 months in the constituency (members of the armed forces are registered where based notwithstanding the residence requirement)
- disqualifications: felony, imprisonment, persons under warrant for arrest, undischarged bankrupts, persons convicted of offences against the security of the State, insanity
CANDIDATES
Eligibility Qualified electors
- age: 23 years
- Cameroonian citizenship
- ability to read and write French or English
- ineligibility: allegiance to a foreign State
Incompatibilities - members of the Government or of the Economic and Social Council
- senior officers of a public or para-statal body
- members of the armed, security and police forces during the discharge of their duties and for six months following the termination of their status
Candidacy requirements - deposit of candidates' list at least 40 days before polling day
- deposit of Francs CFA 150,000 per candidate, reimbursable if the party list obtains at least 5% of the votes cast at the national level

LAST ELECTIONS

Parliament name Parlement - Parliament
Structure of parliament Bicameral
Chamber name (generic / translated) Assemblée nationale - National Assembly / National Assembly
Related chamber (for bicameral parliaments) Sénat - Senate / Senate
BACKGROUND
Dates of election / renewal (from/to) 30 September 2013
Timing and scope of renewal President Paul Biya's Cameroon People's Democratic Movement (CPDM) took 148 seats in the 180-member National Assembly. The main opposition, the Social Democratic Front (SDF), came in a distant second, taking 18 seats. The remaining 14 seats went to five other parties.

President Biya, who has been in power since 1982, ran on the government's record, citing democratic progress in the country. He promised to put in place the constitutional council provided for in the constitution. This council will among other things determine whether laws comply with the constitution, which, in his view, will complete "Democracy-building in Cameroon". The SDF criticized the electoral system, which, in its view, favours the ruling party.

Elections to the National Assembly had been due in 2012. They were delayed following the government's decision to prepare a new electoral roll and introduce a biometric electoral card. The term of the outgoing parliamentarians, which should have expired by 21 August 2012, was extended three times until the elections took place. The elections were combined with those for the municipal councils.
Date of previous elections: 22 July and 30 September 2007

Date of dissolution of the outgoing legislature: 22 July 2013

Timing of election: Delayed elections

Expected date of next elections: September 2018

Number of seats at stake: 180 (full renewal)

Number of candidates: Not available

Percentage of women candidates: Not available

Number of parties contesting the election: 28

Number of parties winning seats: 7

Alternation of power: No

Number of parties in government: 4

Names of parties in government: Cameroon People's Democratic Movement (CPDM), National Union for Democracy and Progress (UNDP), National Salvation Front (FSNC), National Alliance for Democracy and Progress (ANDP)

Date of the first session of the new parliament: 29 October 2013

Name of the new Speaker: Mr. Djibril Cavayé Yeguie (CPDM)
STATISTICS
Voter turnout
Round no 130 September 2013
Number of registered electors
Voters
Blank or invalid ballot papers
Valid votes
5'481'226
4'208'796 (76.79%)

4'023'293
Notes
Distribution of votes
Round no 1
Political group Candidates Votes % of votes
Cameroon People's Democratic Movement (CPDM)
Social Democratic Front (SDF)
National Union for Democracy and Progress (UNDP)
Cameroon Democratic Union (UDC)
Union of the Peoples of Cameroon (UPC)
Movement for the Defense of the Republic (MDR)
Cameroon Renaissance Movement (CRM)
Distribution of seats
Round no 1
Political Group Total of seats
Cameroon People's Democratic Movement (CPDM) 148
Social Democratic Front (SDF) 18
National Union for Democracy and Progress (UNDP) 5
Cameroon Democratic Union (UDC) 4
Union of the Peoples of Cameroon (UPC) 3
Movement for the Defense of the Republic (MDR) 1
Cameroon Renaissance Movement (CRM) 1
Distribution of seats according to sex
Men

Women

Percent of women
124

56

31.11%
Distribution of seats according to age
Distribution of seats according to profession
Comments
Source: National Assembly (22.10.2013)

PRESIDENCY OF THE PARLIAMENTARY CHAMBER

Parliament name Parlement - Parliament
Structure of parliament Bicameral
Chamber name (generic / translated) Assemblée nationale - National Assembly / National Assembly
Related chamber (for bicameral parliaments) Sénat - Senate / Senate
APPOINTMENT AND TERM OF OFFICE
Title Speaker of the National Assembly
Term - duration: 1 year, eligible for re-election
- reasons for interruption of term: resignation or dissolution of the Assembly
Appointment - elected by the Members of the Assembly, every year at the opening of the first ordinary session in June
- following validation of Members' mandates
Eligibility - any Member may be a candidate, but formal notification of candidature is required
Voting system - formal vote by secret ballot in two rounds
- an absolute majority is required for the first round, a relative majority for the second
Procedures / results - the most senior Member presides over the Assembly during the election
- the Seniority Board (the most senior Member and the two youngest members) and two tellers appointed by the Assembly sitting in plenary supervise the elections
- the most senior Member announces the results without any delay
- the results cannot be challenged
STATUS
Status - ranks after the Head of State, whose powers he exercises in the event of a definitive vacancy until new elections have been held
- is assisted by a Board which represents the Assembly with the public authorities
- represents the Assembly in international bodies
- is de facto President of the plenary Assembly, the Conference of Speakers and the Board
- in the absence of the Speaker, the first Deputy Speaker and other Vive-Speakers (according to the order established by the Board) can assume his/her role and functions
Board - the Board of the National Assembly is set up under the Constitution of the Republic and regulated by the Standing Orders
- consists of 23 members (1 Speaker, 1 First Deputy Speaker, 5 Deputy Speakers, 12 Secretaries, 4 Questors) who are elected for 1 year and are eligible for re-election
- has all powers to preside over the deliberations of the Assembly and to organize its services

Material facilities :
- monthly allowance + special allowance for specific expenses
- official residence
- cabinet
- domestic staff
- official cars
- bodyguards and protection by constabularies
Material facilities - monthly allowance + special allowance for specific expenses
- official residence
- cabinet
- domestic staff
- official cars
- bodyguards and protection by constabularies
FUNCTIONS
Organization of parliamentary business - organizes the debates and sets speaking time
The Conference of Speakers:
- establishes and modifies the agenda
- examines the admissibility of bills and amendments
- examines the admissibility of requests for setting up committees and/or committees of enquiry - decisions to set up such committees are taken by an absolute majority of the Assembly's members

Chairing public sittings :
- opens, adjourns and closes sittings
- ensures respect for provisions of the Constitution and Standing Orders
- makes announcements concerning the Assembly
- takes disciplinary measures in the event of disturbance - other measures are taken by secret vote by a majority of the members present
- applies the procedure for the adoption of questions submitted and the voting method fixed by law
- checks the quorum at the opening of the sitting and before the vote
- establishes the list of speakers, gives and withdraws permission to speak
- authenticates the texts adopted - the records of debates are adopted by the Assembly and signed by the Speaker and the Secretaries
- interprets the rules or other regulations governing the life of the Assembly, with or without relying on precedents
Chairing of public sittings - opens, adjourns and closes sittings
- ensures respect for provisions of the Constitution and Standing Orders
- makes announcements concerning the Assembly
- takes disciplinary measures in the event of disturbance; other measures are taken by secret vote by a majority of the members present
- applies the procedure for the adoption of questions submitted and the voting method fixed by law
- checks the quorum at the opening of the sitting and before the vote
- establishes the list of speakers, gives and withdraws permission to speak
- authenticates the texts adopted; the records of debates are adopted by the Assembly and signed by the Speaker and the Secretaries
- interprets the rules or other regulations governing the life of the Assembly, with or without relying on precedents
Special powers - manages the Assembly's finances
- recruits, assigns and promotes staff
- proposes the Secretary General
- decides on the detailed organization of the services, on the proposal of the Secretary General
The Board:
- appoints the Secretary General
- supervises the services of the Assembly
The Questors prepare the budget which is approved by the Board and adopted by the Finance Committee.
- is responsible for relations with foreign Parliaments
- is responsible for safety, and in this capacity, can call the police in the event of disturbance in the Assembly
Speaking and voting rights, other functions - may only take the floor in legislative debates to sum up a question, by stepping down from the podium
- takes part in voting
- may propose bills or amendments which must be deposited with the Board
- may intervene in the parliamentary oversight procedure
- promulgates laws in the event that the President of the Republic has not done so before expiry of the constitutional deadline
- may exercise a priori oversight with regard to the constitutionality of laws
- must be consulted by the President of the Republic in certain circumstances (referendum, dissolution)

PARLIAMENTARY MANDATE

Parliament name Parlement - Parliament
Structure of parliament Bicameral
Chamber name (generic / translated) Assemblée nationale - National Assembly / National Assembly
Related chamber (for bicameral parliaments) Sénat - Senate / Senate
NATURE
Nature of the mandate · Free representation (Art. 15(3) of the Constitution of 02.06.1972 with amendments up to 18.01.1996)
Start of the mandate · On the date of opening of the first ordinary session following the elections (Art. 1(5) of the Act establishing the conditions governing the election of deputies to the National Assembly, Art. 2 of the Standing Orders of the National Assembly)
Validation of mandates · Validation by the National Assembly (Art. 120(1) of the Act establishing the conditions governing the election of deputies to the National Assembly, Art. 3(1) of the Standing Orders of the National Assembly) and, in the event of a challenge, by the Constitutional Council (Art. 48(1 and 2) of the Constitution)
· Procedure (Art. 48(1 and 2), 49 and 50(1) of the Constitution, Art. 120 of the Act establishing the conditions governing the election of deputies to the National Assembly, Art. 3 to 7, 9(1) and 10(1) of the Standing Orders of the National Assembly)
End of the mandate · When the mandates of newly elected MPs are validated (for early dissolution, see Art. 8(12) and 14(4) of the Constitution)
Can MPs resign? Yes · Of their own free will (Art. 8(1) of the Standing Orders of the National Assembly)
· Procedure (Art. 8 of the Standing Orders of the National Assembly)
· Authority competent to accept the resignation: the National Assembly
Can MPs lose their mandate ? Yes (a) Definitive exclusion from Parliament by parliamentary decision:
- Loss of eligibility or disclosure of ineligibility following the election announcement (Art. 22(2) in conjunction with Art. 17 to 20 and 22(1) of the Act establishing the conditions governing the election of deputies to the National Assembly; see also Validation of mandates)
- Exclusion or resignation from the political party (Art. 22(3) of the Act establishing the conditions governing the election of deputies to the National Assembly)
- General procedure (Art. 22(4) of the Act establishing the conditions governing the election of deputies to the National Assembly)
(b) Loss of mandate on grounds of incompatibility (Art. 25(1) in conjunction with Art. 23 and 24 of the Act establishing the conditions governing the election of deputies to the National Assembly; see also Loss of eligibility or disclosure of ineligibility following the election announcement, and Art. 14(5) of the Constitution)
STATUS OF MEMBERS
Rank in hierarchy · Outside Parliament (Art. 77(1) of the Standing Orders of the National Assembly): the Bureau of the National Assembly ranks second in the official order of precedence. MPs rank second in their constituencies.
Indemnities, facilities and services · Diplomatic passport· Basic salary (Art. 77(2 to 6 and 10) and Art. 79(3 to 5) of the Standing Orders of the National Assembly): + Parliamentary expense allowance (Art. 77 (2 and 10) of the Standing Orders of the National Assembly): + Additional expense allowance for members of the Bureau of the National Assembly and of the bureaux of the parliamentary groups (Art. 77(10) and 79(3) of the Standing Orders of the National Assembly) + Sessional allowance for committee officers and the Rapporteur General of the Finance Committee (Art. 77(7) of the Standing Orders of the National Assembly):
· No tax exemption in respect of the basic salary (Art. 77(8) of the Standing Orders of the National Assembly). Other allowances are tax-exempt (Art. 77(9) of the Standing Orders of the National Assembly).
· Pension scheme
· Other facilities:
(a) Secretariat, assistants (Art. 75, 76(1) and 79(2) of the Standing Orders of the National Assembly)
(b) Official housing and household staff for the President, Vice-Presidents, Quaestors, and group leaders (Art. 79(1 and 2) of the Standing Orders of the National Assembly)
(c) Travel and transport for the President, Vice-Presidents, Quaestors and group leaders (Art. 79(1 and 2) of the Standing Orders of the National Assembly)
(c) Other
Obligation to declare personal assets No
Parliamentary immunity - parliamentary non-accountability · The notion exists (Art. 14(6) of the Constitution in conjunction with Order N° 72/12 of 26 August 1972 establishing the system of immunities for members of the National Assembly).
· Parliamentary non-accountability is applicable to words spoken and written by MPs both within and outside Parliament.
· Derogations: insults and contempt (Art. 70(1), 72(2) and 73(2(c), 4(c) and (d)) of the Standing Orders of the National Assembly; see Discipline)
· Non-accountability takes effect on the day when the mandate begins and, on expiry of the mandate, affords protection against prosecution for opinions expressed during the exercise of the mandate.
Parliamentary immunity - parliamentary inviolability · The notion exists (Art. 14(6) of the Constitution in conjunction with Order N° 72/12 of 26 August 1972 establishing the system of immunities for members of the National Assembly)
· It is applicable to criminal and civil proceedings, covers all offences except crimes and misdemeanours against the internal or external security of the State as established by the Penal Code, and protects MPs from arrest, pre-trial detention, the institution of judicial proceedings against them and house searches.
· Derogations: cases of flagrante delicto.· Parliamentary inviolability does (not) prevent MPs from being called as witnesses before a judge or court.
· Protection is provided throughout the mandate and (does not) also cover(s) judicial proceedings instituted against MPs before their election.
· Parliamentary immunity (inviolability) can be lifted:
- Competent authority: the National Assembly when Parliament is in session and the Bureau of the Assembly when Parliament is in recess
- Procedure
- Competent authority:
- Procedure
· Parliament can suspend the prosecution and/or detention of one of its members:
- Competent authority: the competence prosecutor's office or the Minister of the Armed Forces if military courts have jurisdiction.
- Procedure: suspension ipso jure at the request of the National Assembly or, when Parliament is in recess, the Bureau of the Assembly
· In cases of pre-trial detention or imprisonment, the MPs concerned can be authorised to attend sittings of Parliament.
- Competent authority: the competent prosecutor's office or the Minister of the Armed Forces if military courts have jurisdiction
- Procedure: authorisation ipso jure at the request of the National Assembly or, when Parliament is in recess, the Bureau of the Assembly
EXERCISE OF THE MANDATE
Training · There is no training/induction course on parliamentary practices and procedures for MPs.
· Handbook of parliamentary procedure:
- Deputy’s Handbook
Participation in the work of the Parliament · It is compulsory for MPs to attend plenary sittings and committee meetings.
· Penalties foreseen for failure to fulfil this obligation (Art. 80 of the Standing Orders of the National Assembly): forfeiture of 50% of salary for the duration of the absence and for two months following the resumption of activity
· Body competent to rule on such cases/to impose penalties: the Bureau of the National Assembly
Discipline · The rules governing discipline within Parliament are contained in Art. 34(1), 39(5 to 7), 42(1), 69(4) and 70 to 74 of the Standing Orders of the National Assembly.
· Disciplinary measures foreseen (Art. 71 of the Standing Orders of the National Assembly)
- Withdrawal of speaking entitlement (Art. 42(1) of the Standing Orders of the National Assembly)
- Non-inclusion of comments in the record (Art. 39(5 and 6) and 42(1) of the Standing Orders of the National Assembly)
- Warning for irrelevance (Art. 39(6) and 42(1) of the Standing Orders of the National Assembly)
- Call to order (Art. 39(6), 42(1) and 72(1 to 3) of the Standing Orders of the National Assembly
- Call to order with entry in the record (Art. 39(7), 42(1) and 72(1 and 4) of the Standing Orders of the National Assembly)
- Entry in the record with censure, withdrawal of speaking entitlement and forfeiture of the parliamentary expense allowance (Art. 39(7), 42(1) and 73(1 to 3) of the Standing Orders of the National Assembly)
- Censure with temporary exclusion and forfeiture of the parliamentary expense allowance (Art. 39(7), 42(1) and 73(1 and 4 to 6) of the Standing Orders of the National Assembly)
- Suspension or adjournment of the sitting (Art. 70(2 to 4) and 73(6) of the Standing Orders of the National Assembly)
· Specific cases:
- Insults and contempt (Art. 70(1), 72(2) and 73(2(c) and 4(c) and (d)) of the Standing Orders of the National Assembly): call to order; call to order with entry in the record; entry in the record with censure, withdrawal of speaking entitlement and forfeiture of the parliamentary expense allowance; censure with temporary exclusion and forfeiture of the parliamentary expense allowance
- Noisy manifestations of approval or disapproval (Art. 69(4) of the Standing Orders of the National Assembly): temporary exclusion
- Assault (Art. 74 of the Standing Orders of the National Assembly): entry in the record with censure, withdrawal of speaking entitlement and forfeiture of the parliamentary expense allowance; censure with temporary exclusion and forfeiture of the parliamentary expense allowance
Competent body to rule on such cases/to impose penalties (Art. 34(1) of the Standing Orders of the National Assembly):
- Withdrawal of the floor, non-inclusion of comments in the record, warning for irrelevance, call to order, call to order with entry in the record, suspension or adjournment of the sitting, insults and contempt: the President
- Entry in the record with censure, withdrawal of speaking entitlement and forfeiture of the parliamentary expense allowance, censure with temporary exclusion and forfeiture of the parliamentary expense allowance, insults and contempt: the National Assembly, on a proposal by the President
- Noisy manifestations of approval or disapproval: the President, the Secretary General or his/her assistants. The clerks or officials responsible for keeping order apply the disciplinary measure.
- Assault: the Bureau, on a proposal by the President or a deputy. The Head Clerk applies the disciplinary measure.
· Procedure:
- Withdrawal of speaking entitlement, non-inclusion of comments in the record, warning for irrelevance, call to order, call to order with entry in the record, entry in the record with censure, withdrawal of speaking entitlement and forfeiture of the parliamentary expense allowance, censure with temporary exclusion and forfeiture of the parliamentary expense allowance (Art. 39(5 to 7) and 42(1) of the Standing Orders of the National Assembly)
- Call to order, call to order with entry in the record, insults and contempt (Art. 72 of the Standing Orders of the National Assembly; see also above)
- Entry in the record with censure, withdrawal of speaking entitlement and forfeiture of the parliamentary expense allowance, insults and contempt (Art. 73(1 to 3) of the Standing Orders of the National Assembly; see also above)
- Censure with temporary exclusion and forfeiture of the parliamentary expense allowance, insults and contempt (Art. 73(1 and 4 to 6) of the Standing Orders of the National Assembly; see also above)
- Suspension or adjournment of the sitting (Art. 70(2 to 4) and 73(6) of the Standing Orders of the National Assembly)
- Noisy manifestations of approval or disapproval (Art. 69(4) of the Standing Orders of the National Assembly)
- Assault (Art. 74 of the Standing Orders of the National Assembly
Code (rules) of conduct · This notion does not exist in the country's judicial system, but there are some relevant rules (Art. 14(5) of the Constitution, Art. 20, 22(1, 2 and 4) and Art. 23 to 25 of the Act establishing the conditions governing the election of deputies to the National Assembly, Art. 82 in conjunction with Art. 73 of the Standing Orders of the National Assembly).
· Penalties foreseen for breaches of the code of conduct:
- Loss of mandate (Art. 22(2) in conjunction with Art. 20 and 22(1) and Art. 25(1) in conjunction with Art. 23 and 24 of the Act establishing the conditions governing the election of deputies to the National Assembly; ineligibility on grounds of incompatibility, incompatibility)
- Entry in the record with censure, withdrawal of speaking entitlement and forfeiture of the parliamentary expense allowance (Art. 82 in conjunction with Art. 73 of the Standing Orders of the National Assembly; use of title)
- Censure with temporary exclusion and forfeiture of the parliamentary expense allowance (Art. 82 in conjunction with Art. 73 of the Standing Orders of the National Assembly; use of title)
· Competent body to rule on such cases/to impose penalties:
- Loss of mandate due to ineligibility on grounds of incompatibility: the Bureau of the National Assembly
- Loss of mandate on grounds of other incompatibilities:
- Entry in the record with censure, withdrawal of speaking entitlement and forfeiture of the parliamentary expense allowance; censure with temporary exclusion and forfeiture of the parliamentary expense allowance: the National Assembly, on a proposal by the President
· Procedure:
- Loss of mandate due to ineligibility on grounds of incompatibility (Art. 22(4) of the Act establishing the conditions governing the election of deputies to the National Assembly). In this case, MPs have (no) means of appeal.
- Loss of mandate on grounds of other incompatibilities [references, texts or comments]. In this case, MPs have (no) means of appeal.
- Entry in the record with censure, withdrawal of speaking entitlement and forfeiture of the parliamentary expense allowance; censure with temporary exclusion and forfeiture of the parliamentary expense allowance (Art. 82 in conjunction with Art. 73 of the Standing Orders of the National Assembly). In this case, MPs have (no) means of appeal.
Relations between MPs and pressure group · There are no legal provisions in this area.

This page was last updated on 21 June 2018
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