National Assembly of Cameroon, Lower house of the Parliament of Cameroon
The National Assembly of Cameroon is the lower house of parliament, composed of 180 members elected directly by voters through secret ballot, each serving a five-year term. The chamber in Yaoundé features rows of desks arranged for debate, with members representing different regions and political parties gathering to discuss and pass legislation.
The assembly originated from elections held after World War II in late 1946 and early 1947, initially called the Representative Assembly of Cameroon with 40 members. It received its present legal form through a constitution adopted in 1996 and evolved alongside Cameroon's transition from single-party rule to multiparty democracy beginning in 1990.
The assembly is known locally as the Glass Palace, a name derived from the building's distinctive architectural features. This reflects how the physical space has become part of the national identity and everyday conversation in the city.
The assembly holds regular sessions in March, June, and November, each lasting about one month and open to public observation. Special sessions can also be called for urgent matters and typically last up to two weeks, convened on request of the presidential office or when a large number of members so petition.
The building's nickname of Glass Palace has become so embedded in local identity that it is used in both casual conversation and official references. This architectural distinction has made it one of the most recognizable symbols of government presence in the capital.
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