The Free and Fair Election Network (FAFEN) has released its attendance report for the 28th session of the National Assembly, highlighting attendance gaps during the budget session.
According to details, the National Assembly held 15 sittings between June 10 and June 24. Of the 333 lawmakers, only 99 attended all 15 sittings, meaning just 30 per cent maintained full attendance throughout the session.
The report said six members remained absent for the entire session, while around 2 per cent of lawmakers did not attend a single sitting. Overall, 234 members obtained leave from at least one sitting during the session.
Attendance peaked during the 13th sitting, when 300 lawmakers were present for voting on the 2026–27 federal budget. The lowest turnout was recorded during the fifth sitting, held on the second day of the general debate on the budget, with only 209 members in attendance.
Among members of the federal cabinet, six federal ministers and three ministers of state attended all 15 sittings. The report also revealed that the prime minister attended only six of the 15 sittings, while the leader of the opposition was present at 12 sittings.
FAFEN further noted shortcomings in ministerial attendance during parliamentary business. Of the 10 federal ministers scheduled to respond during Question Hour, four were absent on their designated day. Similarly, two of the four ministers assigned to answer Calling Attention Notices did not attend the relevant sittings.
