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{
    "id": 715985,
    "url": "http://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/715985/?format=api",
    "text_counter": 67,
    "type": "speech",
    "speaker_name": "The Senate Majority Leader",
    "speaker_title": "",
    "speaker": {
        "id": 440,
        "legal_name": "Onesimus Kipchumba Murkomen",
        "slug": "kipchumba-murkomen"
    },
    "content": "(Sen. (Prof.) Kindiki): Mr. Speaker, Sir, I beg to move:- That, the Election Laws (Amendment) (No.3) Bill (National Assembly Bill No.63 of 2015) be read a Second Time. Mr. Speaker, Sir, I want to take the shortest time possible in moving this Bill. This Bill is largely about elections. Elections are about democracy. Our country has done well. Despite the challenges we have had since Independence, we have tried, as a nation, to aspire to be a democratic state. One of the tenets of that aspiration is the holding of period General Elections and by elections when vacancies arise. We already have a comprehensive electoral law which was passed in 2011. This amendment Bill is aimed at strengthening what we already have ahead of the next election which is just over seven months away from now. Therefore, the importance of this Bill cannot be overemphasized. The earlier we dispense with the proposed legislative issues, the better for the country so that we can give clarity, stability and certainty to our electoral process. Mr. Speaker, Sir, allow me to highlight a few clauses that I consider critical. First and foremost, it is proposed that all political parties must hear and determine intra-party disputes concerning party primaries. This must happen at least 60 days before the election. As you are aware, one of the most difficult challenges we have in our electoral practice is the issue of intra-party democracy. As much as I have said our elections have largely been competitive and democratic, we have a big challenge as a country with regard to intraparty democracy. Therefore, this Bill is clarifying that all disputes within parties must be heard, determined and finalised in good time so as to allow the other preparations concerning elections, especially, the issue of printing of ballot papers which must be certain. You must be certain who the candidates are. For that to happen, issues arising from political party primaries must be resolve in good time so that all the candidates, their images, parties and symbols can be available for the IEBC to print and deliver ballot papers in good time. Secondly, the Bill provides for a review of academic qualifications for people seeking elective leadership in our country. Mr. Speaker, Sir, at the moment, there are minimum qualifications for all seats. There has been debate in our nation on whether we should review the academic requirements for people running for the office of Member of Parliament (MPs), including the National Assembly and the Senate as well as county assemblies. Much of the debate has concentrated on those positions because already with regard to the office of the President, Deputy President, governor and deputy governor, the qualifications which are The electronic version of the Senate Hansard Report is for information purposes only. A certified version of this Report can be obtained from the Hansard Editor, Senate"
}