Parliament plays an important role in the life of the nation. It is elected to represent the citizens of South Africa according to the Constitution. Parliament is the place where laws are passed and where important issues of the day are discussed. It is the place where the views of citizens can be heard directly by parliamentary committees. Parliament also keeps the executive and state institutions accountable. Parliament is made up of two 'houses' - the National Assembly and the National Council of Provinces (NCOP). The National Assembly represents the people, chooses the President, provides a forum for debate, passes laws, and oversees the executive. The NCOP represents the provinces to ensure that provincial interests are taken into account in the national sphere of government, participates in passing laws, provides a forum for debate of provincial issues, and ensures that local government is represented at national level. Both houses participate in debating and voting on the Budget. Most of this work is done by Members of Parliament (MPs) sitting in parliamentary committees.