The Senate Rotunda was located at the very
center of the Galactic Senate hall, and was
where the Senators of the Republic decided
the future of the galaxy.
The Senate Rotunda replaced an older
Senate hall from the early days of the
Republic. In that ancient time, Senators were
seated around the edge of the room, while the
leaders of the Senate stood in its center. The
basis stayed the same for the new Senate
Rotunda, but repulsorlift platforms replaced
the simple seating of old. When a Senator
wished to be heard, they would maneuver
their pod away from the wall - which was lined with 1,024 Senatorial pods - and towards the Supreme Chancellor's 30-meter-high podium in the Rotunda's center. Senators were only supposed to detatch from the wall with permission from the Chancellor, though many of the more manipulative Senators 'forgot' the procedure. If absolutely necissary, the Chancellor could shut off the Senator's communications and return his pod to its station, but such action was rarely used even in the waning days of the Republic.
While the Senators reached their pods through their living spaces and offices, the Chancellor reached his podium via a repulsorlift platform from the chamber floor. The pillar holding his podium up was supposedly a symbol of the solid foundation of the Republic, though many saw it as a symbol that the Chancellor had become slow to act and unmoveable in debate - as well as being an easy target. Below the Chancellor's chair was a dish-like platform which held four Senate employees. These employees were the sergeant-at-arms - who monitored message droids, runners and Senate Guards - an official reporter - to keep a record of the Senate session - a parliamentarian - who advised the Chancellor on procedure and precedent - and the journal clerk - who searched the Senate's archives for past records and data needed by the Chancellor. |
