Members of the Parliament

Are directly elected by the people of the United Republic of Tanzania in General Elections.

Order Paper

is document published daily when the session is in progress, listing business in the House

Parliament

is the highest legislative authority in the United Republic of Tanzania â€“ the institution responsible for making and repealing Tanzania law. The Parliament is a place for reasoned discussion.

Parliament and government

Both play a part in forming the laws of the United Republic of Tanzania. They are separate institutions that work closely together.

Parliamentary Committees

The services of the Speaker and his deputies, and those of the permanent officers who are at the Speaker's disposal are not the only auxiliaries to which the House has recourse for the dispatch of its work: with a view to the efficient performance of its role it is accustomed to Parliament to appoint temporary composite bodies from among its own membership, which we refer to as Committees.

Speaker

Is the Chairperson, chief officer and highest authority of the National Assembly. The one who chairs debates between MPs (person who keeps order and calls MPs to speak during any sitting of the National Assembly). She/He must be an MP who has been elected to be Speaker by other Members of Parliament.

Standing Orders of the House

Are the printed rules which regulate procedure, debate and the conduct of members in a legislature

Table or Tabling

When MPs hand in questions, amendments to Bills or notices of motions or when a document is formally placed before the House.

What is the Cabinet?

The Ministers of the Government are known as the Cabinet. The President appoints ministers, including the deputy ministers that form the Cabinet, who often work in a government department, and run and develop public services and policies.

What's a Whip?

Whips are MPs appointed by each party to help organise their party's contribution to parliamentary business. One of their responsibilities is making sure the maximum number of their party members vote, and vote the way their party wants. Whip is the key person in parliamentary system. The duties of bringing together member of the same political party and other parties are the prerogative of Whips. Standing Orders recoginse the Office of Chief Whips for both Ruling and Opposition parties, as well as the Assistant Whips for both parties.