Parliament passes 2 motions on Malawi electoral reforms: 50+1 yet to be tabled
Members of Parliament (MPs) have adopted two motions that will amend the Electoral Commission Act and the Parliamentary and Presidential Elections Act (PPEA) as part of the electoral reforms as provided by the High Court in readiness for fresh elections due by July 2.
The Electoral Commission Act has been passed after Parliament went into division, a method of taking a vote that physically counts members voting.
Speaker of the National Assembly Catherine Gotani Hara announced the result that “91 members voted for yes, 84 voted for no, 15 were absent and one abstained.”
The ruling Democratic Porgressive Party members were voting ‘no’ against the electoral reforms bills and were supported by some of the legislators working with it who include independent Mzimba West’s Billy Kaunda, Mathews Ngwale of Chiradzulu West and R Rumphi East member of Parliament (MP) Kamlepo Kalua of People’s Party (PP).
Others who votes ‘no’ included Eurita Ntiza Valeta (Nsanje South West), Kenneth Ndovi, an from Karonga Nyungwe, (Mangochi East) Francesca Masamba Theula, Mulanje South East MP Naomi Kilekwa, Gladys Ganda of Nsanje Lalanje, Welani Chilenga of Chitipa South and MP for Balaka West Bertha Ndebele.
The motion for amendment of Electoral Commission Act was moved as a private members motion by Crispin Chanju Mphande of UTM Party.
The other motion was moved by Lilongwe City South West MP Nancy Tembo (independent).
The House is yet to deliberate the proposal to have 50 percent-plus-one majority in the presidential election.
But the tone of some DPP legislators show that they are not ready for this change in elections management and that the government side is reportedly planning to shoot down the 50+1 election system bill.
Parliament has since adjourned to Thursday after leader of the house Kondwani Nankhumwa proposed that the remaining motion be dealt next day.
Proposals to have the reforms date back to 2004 and the subsequent Constitutional Review Conference in 2007.
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lets share this country atumbuka apite kwao kumpoto basi azikalamulirana okhaokha coz they are too much kubweletsa mpungwe mpungwe
Leave Tumbuka people alone, Tumbuka People wants Malawi to develop.Stop hating them ,we love them, they are Malawians too,they have to contribute to the development of the country. In that country we are all equal.They have children also who needs better things like a very one else in the country.
By voting no against the electoral reforms, are you telling me that people of your constituencies whom you claim to represent are happy? Foolish MPs who ONLY think of today forget tomorrow
Kamlepo MBUZI
Not surprising for Billy Kaunda………………..!! The guy loves kickbacks heavyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyy!! MZ people, you’ve brought blasphemy to parliament!! This guy should face Msundwe guys for some small slaps and chase!!
I would also be happy if the five Simbi United Judges had included in their judgement that MPs should also discuss a bill and pass it on the education of our MPs, to be bachelors degree if the country needs competent MPs who are able to assess the MEC Commissioners competently. How do we expect uneducated MPs such as Lillian Patel to assess MEC commissioners who are holders of Doctorate and Masters degrees. Some MPs do not even have MSCE. Is this not shameful to let such MPs assess people who have higher qualification than them
Such a Stupid comment.
Hope you are cautious and ‘re not talking of some of these guys who have fake PhDs from Jerusalem/Cypress University!!
I agree with Jembe Kukaya because even on court issues, from lower court you go to the upper court and so on. Now, even in teaching profession, there is no way a diploma teacher can teach a degree student,may be first year but not beyond, equally masters or PhD students. Now, our PAC is an embarrassment because there was no way they could question the Commissioners. The law if its there must change immediately. MP do not qualify to interview the Commissioners, no way.
This is where we normally get it wrong. We think competence on issues of integrity is only attached to education qualification. If such was the case then the commissioners would have delivered.
Competence at this level require high standards of environment quotient as compared to IQ.
Cairo, do you mean the Learned judges errored by ruling that the PAC should check on the competency of Commissioners
This is what the law says. It’s not an option . It’s the law!
You mean these commissioners who can not differentiate between good and bad things.They can see no wrong by using tippex even though they did not provide the material.shame on these educated people, holders of degrees.They look like they did not reach university education to me.Kunamiza akumudzi Kut munaphunzira ,Koma kulephera kusiyanitsa pakati pa zinthu zabwino ndi zoipa.Ena ndi ma professor Koma they don’t think like one,kufuna Kubera amalawi basi.
we even need to see their photos incase we meet them in town
It is only very daft people who do not understand that 50% + 1 is already in the constitution. So it is not a matter of debating it. It is a matter of putting in place mechanisms for its implementation.
Billy Kaunda the stupid man. Am deleting all your songs Idiot. You are a disgrace and a crime to justice. am really dissapointed
This Electoral Reforms its not only for Opposition parties.It really puzzled me the way how these DPP MPs and Independent money lovers are behaving.The only thing i can tell you is,don’t think that you be there for the rest of your life,i mean DPP.And to you Billy Kaunda,i am so disappointed in you.I thought you shall stand on the truth and justice but unfortunately,not.You are such a money hungry guy and from now i seize to listen to your songs because of your foolishness and stupidity.
I am also disappointed in you Billy Kaunda.A young man like you, how are failing to understand the importance of electoral reforms? have you been bribed or bewitched Billy???
Understand him. He is not all that educated, the only thing you was good at while at Bilila DEC was football
Don’t cheat yourself. The electoral reform is for the politicians not us. It will allow them to get to power and enrich themselves.
Ma mp amene ahongedwa tithana nawo they don’t care about their ppl. Dyera basi . A Billy sure?
These parliamentarians are useless and sleep on the job. They have blind loyalty to the judiciary and do its bidding. They went to court to get an injunction preventing themselves from appointing IG of police. The court orders them around to on MEC commissioners inquiry just to rubber stamp the concourt verdict. On its own this parliament lacks ideas, they wait for judiciary to shake them up.
We urgently need the recall provision (S.64) back so that most of these useless, brainless MP’s are called back by their constituents. They are a disgrace and do not add any value to the bills they pass, its all just rubber stamping they do!
A PLEA TO MEMBERS OF PARLIAMENT.
Please, Honourable ladies and gentlemen, do not be overtaken by greed or party/tribal loyalty. Vote for the electoral reforms for the sake of sanity in our democracy. Does it not pain you to see that this country is going nowhere except when it comes to enriching greedy politicians? Please consider your country and be part of the solution to its many problems. Be counted in such a way that you will be proud of your decision tomorrow and also in a way that posterity will celebrate you for your stand for the right thing even if it means going against your partisan colleagues.
Was it necessary to expose the names of the regislators who voted no to a certain motion in the parliament?
Bwampini it was necessary. We voted them in to those seats n we deserve to know if they do things contrary to what pipo of Malawi need
Very necessary. We should know the enemies of development!
Yes,it was necessary to know them who don’t want these reforms.
Yes very important! they are hlding a public office and they are accountable to their electorate
YES! That is how it should be. WE the Citizens have the right to know how our representatives vote on matters of national importance and on any bill. WE hired them, WE sent them to parliament , WE pay them, they represent US!
💯% correct
If members of parliament are going to shoot down again the 50+1 motion perhaps it is time that we have a referendum. Why am I saying so; because it seems like the MPs are acting in their own interests and not those of their constituents. Promises of money from those who knows that they will not garner more than 50% votes in the event of an election is driving this whole thing of not wanting to vote for the 50+1. Why are parties scared of this? Governing should be about the people and not self-interest. But then I guess this is planet earth where things don’t go as they should.
That could be better
I think it is also time to think of Recall Provision through referendum since it can’t pass mu parliament
At least we know the Sellouts
They have made it right then lets wait for the next step
If 50+1 subsidiary legistrations are not passed today because of some greedy MPs who do not put Malawi first WE WILL HAVE TO HAVE A REFERENDUM on this issue.
in your news report could you provide details of the content of the bill. What new provisions does it make? What were the arguments for and against?
Members of parliament please vote this 50+1 percentage tomorrow,so that any future president should have atleast half of the votes cast.You never know who will be in ruling side or in opposition side, after July presidential election.Just to remind all Malawians that the following parties have tested both sides of ruling and opposition, MCP, UDF, DPP and PP. If you don’t vote for it this time, you will need it one day.More Malawians are wise nowdays.Those who will oppose this 50+1%centage, are opposing better and prosperous Malawi. Malawi will still change leaders.Kulibe wamuyaya pampando was president.
These DPP they don’t know all they are thinking is the Wamuyaya syndrome
DPP cannot shoot down 50+1 coz they don’t have the numbers. Mercenary MPs through bribery can shoot it down. All parties that want good for this nation, they should vote yes on 50+1
Those voting no, have something to hide
They are protecting their loot.
Who are those 15 who were absent? They should give a good reason for not availing themselves. We voted for them and we need their representatiion. We need tp know where they stand.
Palube zonyengelelana. Power to the people. Operation chotsa mbava. We are heading tp the top. We will as Malawians. Apa zafika pa mwana wakana phala. Enough of dpp abusing us.
Kamlepo Kalua wasanduka Chidempete chotha ntchito since he was abducted by the Mafia DPP in a couple of years ago.
Poor Kamlepo Kalua, Wellani Chilenga are not sensitive to the current political wind in the Northern Region.These MPs will definitely die with DPP.
According to The Freedom of Information Act we are entitled to know the names of ALL those MPs who Voted NO and those who chickened out. It is our right to know what and how our representatives vote on important issues
Billy kaunda , Chilenga welani and Kenneth ndovie do what we sent you for. Otherwise mufune kokhala . We sent you to support those electoral reforms. Don’t say we did not warn you
Billy Kaunda nd i Kamlepo kaluwa ndizitsilu zaanthu
Billy Kaunda nawe wa joiner mbwelera za DPP ndi nzako Kamlepo???
Nankhumwa asking for adjournment kuti apange zinthu usiku uno? Ambuye athu nawo sagona.. you’ll be put to shame
DPP is the only party with MPs with brains. And they use it.
I see great division in this. I can imagine the tension within the mind of gvt side. The 50+1 will pass, but will the president put it into law before Fresh Elections? Our President, work up from a slumber, the party is going, support is dwindling. Nothing to proud of, there is only a bit of improvement on economy, which does not benefit all but only a few. U can’t be proud of roads as they are normal development happening in any country. Technical colleges may be important but not at this time and are not necessarily what Malawi needs. APM, I see you follow much deotology path, but trust me your brother was utilitarian, his focus was greatest good for a gratest number of people. This is why he was able to to introduce FISD amidst intenational snub, severe Taiwan ties and even chasing cochroach dyt.. Malawi needs a leader who can rise above the party and stand to do much of the people good. I you APM were that, trust me we could not be talking of getting only 38% of votes, election case that you have also lost and later on 50+1 hanging to hit DPP. Wake up APM, Take a drastic measure, Don’t kill yourself or your brother’s Party DPP.
First test passed