Laura punches more holes in Hichilema’s constitutional bill
She writes:
Why has the government released a Constitution Amendment Bill, that significantly changes numbers in Parliament, without releasing the delimitation report those changes are based on?
Why is the delimitation report secret? Does it not belong to us? What’s the idea – to have the increased numbers passed and then tell us where those new seats are going to be?
Very disrespectful of citizens right to information and informed engagement. Treating the whole nation like children – decisions made kuchipinda and announced to children who can’t ask why and how.
She writes again:
To understand why constitutional amendments should not be done in a hurry, consider this major contradiction in one of the proposals made in the recently published Constitutional Amendment Bill.
The current constitution says in Article 58 (6) – a part not being amended – that any changes made by delimitation will come into effect at the next dissolution of Parliament.
Then Bill 7 says in 81(3) that Parliament will be dissolved a day before elections.
Does this mean the changes being proposed, as in the coming into effect of the 55 new constituencies, will take place in 2031. I ask because, a day before elections, voter registration will have been finalised and ballots printed?
If 2031 is the target, why the rush for these amendments, or is it the very rush causing such fundamental contradictions?
That is the very reason this has been published so that people can point out the inconsistences. May I ask, what about other articles which are not resolved? The govt has published 13 and you have commented on two. The articles that are reading 7 days and a candidate resigning any time causing postponement of elections are equally troubling. Should we let them be? Is your focus only on the increase of seats?
And Govt, please clarify on matters Madam Miti has raised. Normally she has more reasoning power and knows what she is talking about.
That’s why it is important to read through and give feed back.Mama Miti is reading and questioning which is ok.Some people are not reading but are busy making careless statements.
Dissolving parliament one day before the election is legalising what PF tried to do illegally. This is to ensure government facilities are used for campaigning. Clearing serving the interests of the constitutional amender. The whole issue is a facade.
By the time the parliament is being dissolved Parties will have had nominated potential candidates. What will be the feeling of those current MPs who will not be adopted? Let’s leave the dissolution of parliament clause as it is. The change will cure nothing.
Madam Miti always on spot to praise where it is
Due and criticize when it’s time.