Qualification

The constitution sets three qualifications for senators:

• Must be a citizen of the Federal Republic of Somalia of sound mind, not younger than 25
• Not have their citizenship suspended by a court order in the last five(5) years
• Have a minimum of secondary certificate or equivalent experience.

Representation

There are de facto Federal Member States: Galmudug, Hirshabelle, Jubaland, South-West, Puntland, plus the Northern Regions (Somaliland). Each Federal Member State is entitled to a specific number of Senate seats. Like most other Upper houses worldwide, the Somali formula does not use representation by population as a primary criterion for member selection. The Senators are elected by regional assemblies except for Northern Regions whose delegates elect their Senators in Mogadishu. Senators serve terms of four years each; As per the Constitution. The Upper House of Federal Parliament cannot be dissolved.

Elections and Term

The Provisional Constitution of Somalia refers that the term Federal Parliament both houses is four(4) years beginning from the elections. In addition, the members of the Upper House of Somalia Federal Parliament cannot be dissolved.

Daily sessions and debates

The Senate uses Standing Rules for operation. Like the House of Representatives, the Senate meets in Mogadishu. At one end of the chamber of the Senate is a dais from which the presiding officer presides. The lower tier of the dais is used by clerks and other officials. Every senator has a right to speak in the house debates, but he/she must register first and be given the floor by the chair. Senators during debate can speak only about the issues that are in question and are not allowed to speak about the same issue after that. According to Art. 31, Para. 4 of the Rules of Procedure states, the maximum duration of speaking for any Senator is ten minutes and only exception for longer duration is when the chair allows them to speak on it. Both the Prime Minister and President are exempt from any time limit. During a debate, senators may only speak if called upon by the presiding officer, but the presiding officer is required to recognize the first senator who rises to speak. All speakers, except for the house leadership or high-level guests, must stand in front of the Senators and address them directly. As given in Art. 32 of the Rules of Procedure, no speaker should be interrupted in between with only a few exceptions when Rules of Procedure are broken; speaker talks about items not included in the agenda; speaker gives inaccurate information; and there is a motion for the continuation of the debate or voting.

Debate

Apart from rules governing civility, there are few restrictions on the content of speeches; there is no requirement that speeches pertain to the matter before the Senate. While debating on the bills should commence with a background and discussion of the bill and only the sponsor institution can ask general questions from the Senators on it. An article-by-article debate shall be convened after the relevant house committee submits its deliberations on the bill in the second reading session.

Voting

When the debate concludes, the motion in question is put to a vote. The presiding officer puts the question, and Members respond either yes or no. The vote is closed at the discretion of the presiding officer. The Upper House’ members may vote only on items included in the agenda by raising their hands, and a decision is based on the majority's vote (50%+1) of those present at the session. The general secretariat counts up the votes, and the chair of the session declares the result.