National Assembly (Eritrea)


The National Assembly of the State of Eritrea has 150 members, 75 members appointed and 75 members representing the members of the Central Committee of the People's Front for Democracy and Justice, the sole legal political party of Eritrea. According to the IPU, the National Assembly has 150 indirectly elected members. The National Assembly was composed in February 1992. The meeting place of the National Assembly is located in Asmara. AFP reported that Eritreans have elected 399 representatives in the country's six regions in a lengthy process that will lead to the formation of a constituent assembly. The regional elections began on 4 January 1997 in some parts of the country and were completed in others by 1 March 1997. Direct elections have never been held; planned elections have been continuously postponed since 2001. The National Assembly has never met since 2002; President Isaias Afwerki now exercises legislative functions in addition to the executive functions granted by the constitution.

Background

While Eritrea was federated to Ethiopia, and later annexed from 1952–1962, the Eritrean Assembly was the legislative body. Eritrea has a one party national Assembly governed by People's Front for Democracy and Justice . From the time of independence since May 1991, the country has been continuing with a transitional government elected during the elections in June 1993. The scheduled elections in 2001 has been postponed indefinitely. The regional and local elections are conducted on a periodic basis on a restricted framework. All men and women of any ethnic or religious background are eligible to vote. Only individuals, not parties, are allowed to contest and the elections are presided by representatives from PDFJ. Policy decisions should be centered around the party mandate and opposition and dissenters have been imprisoned.

Qualification

The composition of the 150 members of the National Assembly is members from the Central Committee members of the ruling PFDJ and 75 others elected from the 527 member Constituent Assembly in 1997. The elections were held for a transitional government to discuss and ratify the new constitution. The stipulation set for the 75 elected members were: a minimum of 11 women members and minimum of 15 members representing expat Eritreans.

Constitutional powers

The President is elected by the members of the National Assembly for a five-year term and a maximum of two terms. The members of the National Assembly are elected directly by popular vote. In May 1997, a new constitution was adopted, which enabled only the 75 elected members needed in the Assembly, while 75 others from the PFDJ were nominated from Central Committee. The members of the transitional assembly were allowed to continue until next elections were held. The National Assembly is scheduled to meet every six months or at points of emergency at the behest of President and two-thirds of the members. The Council of State reports to the Assembly. Assembly is set as the top most legislative body of the Constitution of Eritrea that needs to assure the fundamental rights of the citizens of the country and to ensure justice, peace and stability. The National Assembly was also set to oversee the Executive branch of the constitution during the regime of the transitional government. The other major functions of the National Assembly include approval of budgets, governing domestic and foreign policies, and regulating the policies of the council.