The Parliament of the Democratic Republic of the Congo consists of two chambers:
⦁ The ⦁ Senate (⦁ Upper Chamber)
The Senate is the upper house of the Parliament of the Democratic Republic of the Congo. During the transition period in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (2003 – 2006), the Senate, aside from its Legislative role, also had the task of drafting the country’s new constitution. This task came to fruition with the adoption of the draft in Parliament in May 2005, and its approval by the Congolese people, in a successful democratic referendum on 18 and 19 December 2005.
Members of the Senate are indirectly elected based on proportional representation by the Provincial Assemblies. Elected senators serve 5 year terms. Former presidents sit as senators for life by right.
⦁ The ⦁ National Assembly (⦁ Lower Chamber)
The National Assembly is the lower house and main legislative political body of the Parliament of the Democratic Republic of the Congo. It was established by the 2006 constitution. It is located at the People’s Palace in Kinshasa. The National Assembly is elected every 5 years by universal suffrage. There are 500 seats, 61 members are elected in single member constituencies while the remaining 439 members are elected in multi member constituencies by open list.