Reps dissolve Ad Hoc committees with immediate effect

The House of Representatives has ordered the immediate dissolution of all its Ad Hoc committees, bringing an end to the activities of the temporary panels whose mandates and approved extensions have expired.

The directive, issued by Speaker Abbas Tajudeen, was communicated to chairmen and members of the affected committees in a statement signed by the Clerk of the House, Sidi Ibrahim.

Members were instructed to stop forthwith any activities, engagements or assignments being undertaken in the name of the dissolved committees.

The House said the decision followed previous directives requiring the Ad Hoc committees to complete their assignments and submit their reports within the stipulated period.

According to the statement, only two of the committees had applied for and obtained extensions under Order 18, Rule 5 of the Standing Orders.

However, the additional two weeks granted to both committees had elapsed without their continued existence being justified under the House rules.

The Clerk explained that Ad Hoc committees were established for specific purposes and limited periods and therefore could not continue operating indefinitely.

“For the avoidance of doubt, Honourable Members are reminded that Ad Hoc Committees are temporary Committees of the House established for specific and time-bound mandates. They are not intended to subsist indefinitely beyond the purpose and period for which they were constituted,” the statement said.

The House also referred to Order 18, Rule 11, Paragraph 5 of its Standing Orders, which sets out the limitations on the time available for committees to submit their reports.

It said the committees had exceeded the periods assigned to them, making their continued operation untenable.

Consequently, the dissolution took effect from Friday, August 28, 2026, with the House directing members to immediately cease representing themselves or carrying out activities on behalf of any of the affected committees.

Chairmen of the dissolved committees were also instructed to submit outstanding reports, working papers, records and other materials connected to their assignments to the Office of the Clerk for safekeeping.

The House urged all affected lawmakers to comply strictly with the directive.