Benghazi – The House of Representatives, meeting Monday at its headquarters in Benghazi, voted to adopt a new parliamentary term system for its leadership bureau, with 98 members in favor.
Abdullah Bliheg, the official spokesperson for the House, said the session was presided over by Second Deputy Speaker Misbah Douma and attended by 102 lawmakers. The session was held to discuss a proposal, submitted by several MPs, to establish a defined parliamentary term for the leadership bureau.
Bliheg explained the proposal sets the bureau’s mandate at twelve months from the date of election. The term ends automatically at the conclusion of that period. A new leadership bureau must then be elected to start the next parliamentary term.
He added that after this amendment is adopted, the next term will begin immediately, with the new bureau to be elected within seven days.
According to the spokesperson, if an election session for a new bureau does not take place on time, the outgoing leadership will not have its mandate extended. No additional term will be granted.
The proposal also states that the outgoing bureau cannot postpone council meetings, delay the election of new leadership, or take any actions that would extend its authority.
Bliheg noted that if the outgoing leadership fails to call for an election, the House of Representatives will convene by law, provided quorum is achieved, without the need for an official invitation.
In such cases, the eldest member will preside over the session and the youngest will serve as rapporteur, until a new leadership bureau is elected.
Bliheg confirmed that, after discussions, the parliament approved the new parliamentary term system with 98 votes in favor.