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?