Blackout disrupts Parliament: DPP MPs boycott ‘way forward’ session

Power failure on Friday afyernoon  disrupted business in the National Assembly which was meeting in an extra time to avert a deep Constitutional crisis following Thursday’s shooting down of a constitutional amendment to have a provision for a run-off in case no presidential candidate garners over 50 percent of the total votes cast.

Blackout in Parliament brought deliberations to abrupt halt

However, legislators from the  governing Democratic Progressive Party (DPP)  boycotted the proceedings in the afternoon.

There were more than 15 legislators on the government side and opposition expressed their disappointment over the boycott.

The outage forced Speaker of parliament Catherine Gotani Hara to adjourn for a health break.

During the outage, opposition legislators were overheard describing the blackout as “charecteristics of the Democratic Progressive Party [DPP]” administration.

When power was restored, the House met but a motion was moved to adjourn the proceedings to Monday.

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chayamba
chayamba
4 years ago

There is a clip circulating on social media where police men are putting a chain on electricity lines that caused black out at Parliament.on the background of the clip we can hear someone giving instructions how to do it. That person giving the instructions is in civilian at the end of the clip. Am sure this guy is an Escom staff and must be investigated. The stick they are using normally are used by Escom

Omex70
Omex70
4 years ago

DPP is doing all it can to remain in power though through dubious means. Koma chodziwika ndichakuti dzanja lalemba basi. I feel sorry for some greedy MPs who are betraying their electorates for their personal gains by shooting down the electoral reforms that will unite the nation. Unfortunately they are siding with a dying horse.

Toka
Toka
4 years ago

DPP playing games through Escom.
But why not procuring a genset for this very important building?

Lego
4 years ago

I don’t understand the motive of DPP MPs and the whole supporters.Why are they afraid of electoral reforms?These electoral reforms are not for the opposition parties only but for the entire Malawi and generation.Honestly,a well educated person can go into a Parliament House and when comes to voting on the important issues can NOT CONSULTED,its really childish and they must be ashamed.That shows total foolishness.I wonder if this party will survive because most of their members are educated fools.

Amjiba
Amjiba
4 years ago

I do not understand the reasons the legal affairs committee is threatening other MPs for rejecting the bill. After all parliament has those powers to reject or pass any bill. Court cannot force its decisions on parliament. These MPs were voted by us to make laws and not the court. MCP has lost that is all. Find other means. Let’s wait and see that constitutional crisis. I think government was the one who should be worried than MCP. What is the motive of MCP.

Andala asyene
Andala asyene
4 years ago

How I wish DPP to switch off power on the ruling day of their appeal case at supreme court.

Wachfundo
Wachfundo
4 years ago

You’re right.

Mbonga Matoga
Mbonga Matoga
4 years ago

Take the 50+1 issue to the people in a referendum….if DPP MPs want to cause a constitutional crisis then they are kidding themselves. We know that they are bitter becoz they lost the election court case. But there is a time when the country comes first and partisan politics second. My advice to the opposition MPs is that do not debate or approve the budget until this 50+1 issue is passed. The DPP MPs should be sued for contempt of court……..Why are they afraid of 50+1, time for regionalism politics is gone, APM & your DPP get over it whether… Read more »

Mitengo
Mitengo
4 years ago
Reply to  Mbonga Matoga

That’s not how it works unfortunately.

Malawi belong to the citizens

Multiparty is good.It is some leaders who are bad leaders themselves.When time for Change arrives in a country, change comes.As of now Malawi is in the change process from politics of one region to the politics of all regions. Politics of all Malawians. That’s what 50+1% will do.Believe little by little things are changing.Dpp is making Malawians to love the change that is coming.For Malawi to change for the better,it needs the DPP to keep doing some delay tactics.Eventually change will come.Let me take you some years ago, when our fore fathers started fighting the colonial rulers,it was tough, very… Read more »

Mitengo
Mitengo
4 years ago

I haven’t read the whole book, just scanned it. 50%+1 is just a number on the paper. No gaurantee that it can unite Malawians currently divided on regional line politically. The first vote is a passion vote. The second vote is a doubted vote. If the candidate wins 50% of the vote short by one and then wins 52% in the run-off, he may still value his passion vote and will focus on those areas for the next election- this I guarantee.

Mangochi Kabwafu
Mangochi Kabwafu
4 years ago

Dpp at work.

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