The Standing Committees
The Chamber of Deputies is composed of 9 Standing Committees.
Each Standing Committee consists of a Bureau composed of a chairperson and a deputy chairperson.
The chairperson of the Standing Committee acts as its spokesperson and in case of his/her absence, the Deputy Chairperson acts as a spokesperson.
When members of the Standing Committee work in groups, the head of the group acts as a spokesperson. The deputy chairperson of the Standing Committee makes follow-up on the work in Committee and how reports transmitted to the Plenary Assembly are finalized.
The Standing Committees’ work starts at nine (9:00) a.m. and concludes at twelve (noon) p.m. The starting or ending time of the work of the Committee may change at the Committee chairperson's request after approval thereof by consensus or failing which, by an absolute majority vote of the Committee members present.
Committee meetings are open to the public but those attending them as observers are not given the floor. However, the Committee may organise special sessions on a draft law or private member’s bill or a particular issue in which members of the public and journalists may be given the floor.
Where necessary and at the request of the Bureau of the Committee or of a member of the Committee and after approval by half (1/2) of the members of the Committee present, the meeting of the Committee may be held behind closed doors.
Committee’ meetings take place in the Building of the Chamber of Deputies. Each Committee has its own meeting room and an office for its bureau and necessary equipment. The Committee also has support staff.
If necessary, for reasons of public interest and where cases of urgency so require, after consultation between the bureau of the Committee and the Bureau of the Chamber of Deputies, the Committee may meet in a location other than the Building of the Chamber of Deputies.