Entry Instance

HTTP 200 OK
Allow: GET, PUT, PATCH, DELETE, HEAD, OPTIONS
Content-Type: application/json
Vary: Accept

{
    "id": 1049334,
    "url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/1049334/?format=api",
    "text_counter": 43,
    "type": "speech",
    "speaker_name": "Nominated, ODM",
    "speaker_title": "Hon. (Prof.) Jacqueline Oduol",
    "speaker": {
        "id": 13171,
        "legal_name": "wilson sossion",
        "slug": "wilson-sossion"
    },
    "content": "On the outset, I would like to indicate that I support the Bill, but with some amendments. Clause 7 of the Bill is speaking to the need to hold a national referendum about any issue other than a referendum, to amend the Constitution. When I look at the understanding and the definition of a referendum, it clearly indicates that we need to distinguish between seeking constitutional amendments which, in this case, is what we can see as we look at the reconciled notes from the two Committees, and a plebiscite, where you can have an advisory referendum and where you can come up with the decisions that the Government does not have to act upon, but which would give room for the citizenry to express some of their desires. So, Hon. Temporary Deputy Speaker, it is extremely important that we get back to the point where we give people their sovereignty in terms of giving them voice and direct democracy, so to speak. It is clear that through the popular initiative, the citizenry can provide very specific indications of change that they would like to see by following the procedures therein in terms of gathering signatures. If they are sufficient, these would be verified and the verification would be carried out in accordance with procedures. This would be something that would be acceptable. It is important that we recognise that. Secondly, I agree with the point that as we look at the Bill, it is a Bill by popular initiative. In terms of sovereignty of the people, it is allowing the citizens to come up with thoughts that they would want to be brought into law to ensure that they are given an opportunity to be considered. We have not come up with the idea on how the Bill that has been presented by popular initiative can be redrafted. In this regard, it is clear that the joint committee’s resolutions are something that I agree with. It is useful to keep it as the citizen’s popular initiative. This links to the question of framing of the question. If we are linking, which we must, because our Constitution recognises the sovereignty of the people, what we are talking about is The electronic version of the Official Hansard Report is for information purposesonly. A certified version of this Report can be obtained from the Hansard Editor."
}