Rédaction Africa Links 24 with Times News
Published on 2024-03-15 08:09:04
Members of Parliament (MPs) have come under scrutiny for not adhering to the Standing Orders of the august House that are meant to regulate absenteeism among lawmakers. The issue of absenteeism has plagued the House this week, with a significant number of MPs absent from meetings without providing valid reasons for their absence. This has disrupted the deliberations in the House, raising concerns about the commitment of the legislators to their responsibilities.
On one occasion, when the House reconvened after a break for cluster committee business, a roll call revealed that 105 members were absent while only 84 were present. According to Standing Order 205(4), party whips are required to inform the Speaker of Parliament about the names and number of MPs who will not be able to attend parliamentary proceedings. The Standing Order explicitly states that the Speaker should be notified of any absence before the start of a sitting.
However, there have been instances where the Speaker was unaware of the absences, as observed by The Daily Times. Deputy Speaker of Parliament Aisha Adams had to call for a roll call on Tuesday when she noticed a significant number of empty seats. Speaker Catherine Gotani Hara also expressed dismay over the issue of absenteeism. Government Chief Whip Jacob Hara raised concerns about the low attendance of legislators, including Cabinet ministers, which was below 40 percent.
Political commentator George Chaima highlighted the disappointment in legislators not fulfilling their duties to serve their constituents. He emphasized the legislators’ responsibility to represent the interests of the people who elected them, expressing concern that some MPs are more focused on personal gain rather than public service. Human Rights Defenders Coalition Vice Chairperson Michael Kaiyatsa echoed similar sentiments, calling for lawmakers to prioritize the public interest over personal benefits.
In response to the issue of absenteeism, Parliament spokesperson Ian Mwenye stated that the leadership of the House is working to address the issue. He referred to Standing Order 41(1), which allows members to request leave of absence from the Assembly through their party whips, stating the reason for their absence and the duration. Mwenye noted that roll calls are conducted in the chamber to remind members of this provision and to enforce it.
The Speaker issued a warning on Tuesday that absentee MPs would not receive their allowances. However, there are reports indicating that MPs receive their allowances in advance, making it challenging to recover the funds from absent members. The Parliament is exploring ways to ensure that MPs comply with the Standing Orders regarding attendance and impose sanctions on those who do not adhere to the rules.
In conclusion, the issue of absenteeism among MPs in Malawi’s Parliament highlights the need for legislators to prioritize their responsibilities to the public. It is crucial for lawmakers to fulfill their duties diligently, represent the interests of their constituents, and adhere to the regulations that govern their conduct in the House. Failure to do so not only undermines the functioning of the Parliament but also reflects poorly on the commitment of lawmakers to serve the people who elected them.
Read the original article on The Times
