Kamlepo protests circulated bills
Rumphi East member of Parliament (MP) Kamlepo Kalua (People’s Party-PP) has decried the Electoral Reforms Bills circulated in Parliament by government on Monday, saying he feels betrayed as they are not what Malawi Law Commission proposed.
The House has been waiting for the final three Bills of the electoral reforms which, among other things, calls for 50+1 provision for electing a president.
“The Bill that was proposed by the Law Commission is not the one that is before us. Is it in order, Mr. Speaker Sir, that we have this?” he asked.
In his response, Speaker Richard Msowoya said what the Law Commission submits to government is not always what Parliament gets because before a bill goes to Parliament, the Cabinet has to look at it and make some considerations.
“The reason Cabinet meets is to reshape the bills. The idea is for you to see the bills that have been presented to you,” said Msowoya.
The Malawi Law Commission proposed for a 50+1 provision only in the presidential vote but the current circulated bill has extended the provision to members of Parliament and councillors.
