Parliamentary mandate

A parliamentary mandate gives an elected member the status and rights needed to serve in a chamber. It is exercised subject to rules on incompatibilities, replacement and termination. The member represents the nation, votes personally and is not bound by an imperative mandate.

An MP’s parliamentary mandate is recorded separately from a role held on a standing committee.

The mandate is not a proxy vote or an instruction issued by a political party.

National representative office

Personal vote and no imperative mandate

Distinct from internal parliamentary roles