The House of Peoples’ Representatives shall have the power of legislation
in all matters assigned by this Constitution to federal jurisdiction.
Consistent with the provision of sub-Article 1 of this Article, the House
of Peoples’ Representatives shall enact specific laws on the following
matters:
Utilization of land and other natural resources, of rivers and lakes crossing
the boundaries of the national territorial jurisdiction or linking two
or more States;
Inter-State commerce and foreign trade;
Air, rail, water and sea transport, major roads linking two or more States,
postal and telecommunication services;
Enforcement of the political rights established by the Constitution and
electoral laws and procedures;
Nationality, immigration, passport, exit from and entry into the country,
the rights of refugees and of asylum;
Uniform standards of measurement and calendar;
Patents and copyrights;
The possession and bearing of arms.
It shall enact a labour code
It shall enact a commercial code
It shall enact a penal code. The States may, however, enact penal laws
on matters that are not specifically covered by Federal penal legislation.
It shall enact civil laws which the House of the Federation deems necessary
to establish and sustain one economic community.
It shall determine the organization of national defence, public security,
and a national police force. If the conduct of these forces infringes upon
human rights and the nation’s security, it shall carry out investigations
and take necessary measures.
In conformity with Article 93 of the Constitution it shall declare state
of emergency; it shall consider and resolve on a decree of a state of emergency
declared by the executive.
On the basis of a draft law submitted to it by the Council of Ministers
it shall proclaim a state of war.
It shall approve general policies and strategies of economic, social and
development, and fiscal and monetary policy of the country. It shall enact
laws on matters relating to the local currency, the administration of the
National Bank, and foreign exchange.
It shall levy taxes and duties on revenue sources reserved to the Federal
Government, it shall ratify the Federal budget.
It shall ratify international agreements concluded by the executive.
It shall approve the appointment of Federal judges, members of the Council
of Ministers, Commissioners, the Auditor General, and of other officials
whose appointment is required by law to be approved by it.
It shall establish a Human Rights Commission and determine by law its powers
and functions.
It shall establish the institution of the Ombudsman, and select and appoint
its members. It shall determine by law the powers and functions of the
institution.
It shall, on its own initiative, request a joint session of the House of
the Federation and of the House of Peoples’ Representatives to take appropriate
measures when State authorities are unable to arrest violations of human
rights within their jurisdiction. It shall, on the basis of the joint decision
of the House, give directives to the concerned State authorities.
It has the power to call and to question the Prime Minister and other Federal
officials and to investigate the Executive’s conduct and discharge of its
responsibilities.
It shall, at the request of one-third of its members, discuss any matter
pertaining to the powers of the executive. It has, in such cases, the power
to take decisions or measures it deems necessary.
It shall elect the Speaker and Deputy Speaker of the House. It shall
establish standing and ad hoc committees as it deems necessary to
accomplish its work.