It is clear that Speaker Chaudhry Amir Hussain will keep the tradition and swear in the new set of members when the 13th National Assembly is called to session. However, the Assembly would be called into session probably in the first week of March, after the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) issues the notification of successful members.
Under the rules, the ECP will notify names of successful candidates within 10 days of the election date. After the names are announced, Members are obliged to submit details of election expenditure by February 28. If they fail, the notification will not be made.
While this is being attended to, ECP will also notify the list of 60 women as well as 10 minority members, to be nominated on proportional basis, according to the number of successful male members, who won on party tickets.
The ECP has already received a list of women candidates from political parties. It will then notify the list (of 60 women and 10 minority members) after completing notification of male members. Logically, therefore, the President will call the National Assembly session after this process is complete.
Now, that the election results have produced a hung parliament, countrymen are looking forward with excitement as to who among the winning sets would pick up the gauntlet and form the government.
That is another factor relevant to the date on which new members, including women and minority members, will take the oath prescribed in the Third Schedule of the Constitution. However, preliminary work has already begun in the National Assembly Secretariat under the supervision of Secretary.
After the ECP issues the notification the National Assembly Secretariat will reach each member on telephone to gather information on the mode of their travel to the federal capital.
Each MNA will receive a telegram as well as copy of the summons specifying the date and time of Assembly session. Members will also be asked to specify where they will stay for the first time. NA Secretariat will also take care of their accommodation, at a hotel, if the new member desires, until a flat is reserved for them at the Parliament House.
The Assembly has already detailed personnel for the reception camps, which will be set up at Rawalpindi railway station and airports to receive the members. After reaching Islamabad, members will receive a guided tour of the Parliament House.