1. Elections:
- In a democracy, the most common way to form a parliament is through elections. Citizens eligible to vote cast their ballots to elect representatives who will serve in the parliament.
- The electoral system used may be based on proportional representation, where seats are allocated to parties based on the proportion of votes they receive, or on a first-past-the-post system, where the candidate with the most votes in each constituency wins.
2. Nomination of Candidates:
- Political parties nominate their candidates to stand for election in the various constituencies or electoral districts.
- Candidates may also run as independents without party affiliation.
3. Campaigning:
- Political parties and candidates campaign to persuade voters to support them during the election period.
4. Election Results and Seat Allocation:
- Once the elections are held, the votes are counted, and the results are declared.
- Based on the electoral system, seats in the parliament are allocated to different parties or independent candidates based on the votes received.
5. Formation of Government:
- After the election results are finalized, the process of forming the government begins.
- In parliamentary systems, the party or coalition that gains a majority of seats in parliament usually forms the government. The leader of the majority party typically becomes the Prime Minister or head of government.
- In cases where no party wins an outright majority, a coalition government may be formed, where several parties come together to form a government.
6. Appointment of Ministers and Cabinet:
- The head of government appoints ministers and forms a cabinet, which is responsible for the day-to-day administration and governance of the country.
- Ministers are typically chosen from within the elected members of parliament.
7. Legislative Powers and Functions:
- The parliament, as the representative body of the people, has the primary function of making laws and overseeing the executive branch of the government.
- Parliamentarians debate and vote on proposed legislation, approve the national budget, and exercise oversight over government activities.
8. Opposition Parties:
- In parliamentary democracies, opposition parties play a vital role in holding the government accountable and ensuring transparency.
- Opposition parties scrutinize government policies, raise questions, and provide alternative viewpoints in parliament.
9. Parliament Sessions and Procedures:
- The parliament operates through sessions or sittings, where members convene to discuss and vote on legislation and other important matters.
- Parliamentary procedures, such as rules of debate, voting procedures, and quorum requirements, are followed to ensure orderly and effective functioning of the parliament.
10. Constitutional and Legal Framework:
- The formation and functioning of parliament are governed by the country's constitution, electoral laws, and other relevant legislation.
- The constitutional framework defines the powers, responsibilities, and limitations of the parliament, as well as the relationship between the parliament and other branches of government.
