Speaker casts rare tie-breaking vote, irks government side as Malawi opposition brings electoral reforms motion
Speaker of Parliament, Richard Msowoya, credited for taking a neutral stand in running Parliament’s affairs despite being vice president of opposition Malawi Congress Party (MCP), on Thursday made a rare tie-breaking vote and sided with opposition.
Msowoya was called to cast a tie-breaker vote after there was no accuracy of the voice vote.
Kasungu West Member of Parliament (MCP), Alex Major, wanted to waive some standing orders to bring on the floor a motion on electoral reforms.
The motion on electoral reforms appeared on the supplementary order paper.
The vote, in the form of an “aye” or “no,” was judged inconclusive in the matter and roll call showed government and opposition were tied 65 votes as 62 MPs were recorded absent in the House.
The Speaker then was called to cast a tie-breaker in line with a Standing Order in such circumstances.
In his vote, Msowoya said: “It is normal. A son shall follow the father. I will vote yes.”
The Speaker’s vote meant the motion on electoral reforms would be brought on the floor as the opposition wanted.
Msowoya’s tie-breaker vote did not amuse government, with Leader of the House George Chaponda calling for vote recount or verification of the earlier vote.
It was the first time Speaker Msowoya cast a tie-breaking vote on the floor.
Previously, Sam Mpasu when he was Speaker , he also had to cast a tie-breaking vote.
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It’s a good step to the right direction
MENE MENE TEKEL
MENE MENE TEKEL URPHASIN
Speaker was childish, there was no need to suspend the proceedings after vote. The remaining mps will be bought and reforms bill will no longer pass. Forget about it now. You lost the platform mr speaker. you will be in opposition again come 2019.
If God is for us, who shall be against us? people of about 85% are praying crying to God that he should deliver us from this mouth of Lion.
God bless Malawi!
I like the US system where the House Speaker is very powerful in that he/she has the freedom to take sides on issues! I vividly recall Barack Obama calling John Boehner for meetings at the White House to plead with him to pass the budget in the 2014-2015 financial year (this was after the Republican-dominated House of Representatives stood their ground with Boehner leading the pack!) Only that maybe kwathu kuno kungomupatsa mphamvu imeneyi Speaker (ndiye akhalenso wa DPP) ndiye kuti kukhala malamulo oopsa onse kubweretsa ku parliament! Mxiiiiii
its long overdue, we need credible leaders with majority vote not 36%.Even this percentage was obtained dubiously!
Kkkkk dzanja layamba kulemba khoma-bt deal with chilima first otherwise u reform nothing bcz saulos knowz all tricks that makes computers add up with nonnoymous figures than centres of polling vote were registered with that i doubt if DDP will lost in 2019 make plns b4 its 2late -THATS GOOD START BRING IT ON- good lucky.