ECOWAS Parliament approves new rules to enforce discipline, boost participation

The ECOWAS Parliament has adopted a revised set of internal regulations aimed at improving discipline, accountability, and participation within the regional legislature.

The decision was reached during the First Ordinary Session of 2025, which held on Thursday in Abuja.

Presenting the new Rules of Procedure, Honourable Billay G. Tunkara, who chairs the Ad Hoc Committee on Reforms and serves as the Parliament’s Fourth Deputy Speaker, outlined several critical changes.

Among the highlights is a new rule stipulating that lawmakers who miss one-third of any session without valid reason risk losing their sitting allowances or facing suspension.

Other reforms include the promotion of gender and language balance in committee assignments, strict enforcement of a dress code for all members, and a ban on the use of insulting or derogatory remarks towards fellow parliamentarians or Heads of State.

Additionally, a minimum quorum of 50 members has been set for any session to commence, while the Speaker is now required to step aside for a Deputy Speaker when contributing to debates to maintain neutrality.

The Parliament stated that these reforms are designed to improve order, foster greater participation, and enhance the quality of parliamentary debates going forward.