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{
    "id": 1063561,
    "url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/1063561/?format=api",
    "text_counter": 17,
    "type": "speech",
    "speaker_name": "Hon. Lusaka",
    "speaker_title": "The Speaker",
    "speaker": null,
    "content": "I stated that this provision was drawn from the intricate process attached to the consideration of the Bill in terms of collection of signatures in support; verification of the said signatures; public participation undertaken by various county assemblies; and ultimately, approval by the Assemblies and subsequent submission of their respective resolutions to the Speakers of the Houses of Parliament. For the avoidance of doubt, all county assemblies filed returns to the Speakers of the Houses of Parliament pursuant to Article 257(7) of the Constitution and paragraph (5) of the Guidelines for Delivery by the county assemblies in Legal Notice No. 175 of 2019. A total of 43 County Assemblies approved the draft Bill, three county assemblies rejected the Bill and one county assembly abstained. Hon. Senators, in our consultations over the Parliamentary process on the Bill, the two Speakers and the leadership of the Houses were in agreement that the Bill was to be introduced simultaneously and as much as possible, follow a similar process. This paved the way for the introduction of the Bill in both Houses of Parliament by way of First Reading on Thursday, 4th March, 2021 and its subsequent committal to the Joint Committee of the National Assembly Departmental Committee on Justice and Legal Affairs and the Senate Standing Committee on Justice, Legal Affairs and Human Rights. The two committees considered the Bill, undertook public hearings and stakeholder engagements on diverse dates, concluded their deliberations and prepared a joint report on the Bill. The Chairperson of the Standing Committee on Justice, Legal Affairs and Human Rights, will shortly table the Joint Report, as indicated at Order No. 2 in today’s Order Paper. Hon. Senators, with regard to the next steps, the Senate shall be guided by Standing Order No.141 as relates to the Second Reading, Standing Order No. 145 as relates to the Committee of the Whole and Standing Order No. 153 as regards Third Reading of the Bill. This procedure is necessary so as to socialize the Bill to the long- standing parliamentary procedure within the Commonwealth for considering Bills. As is the practice, there is no Motion for consideration or adoption thereof of the Report of the Joint Committee on the Bill. What is permissible are arguments in support or otherwise of the Bill, at the various stages, with the benefit of the information contained in the Joint Report. This is another long-standing practice within the Commonwealth. However, the nature of the Bill before us is one that, although subjected through the Parliamentary procedures for considering Bills, may not be amended. Hon. Senators, this is a momentous occasion as it is the first time that Parliament is considering a Bill to amend the Constitution by popular initiative as contemplated in the Article 257 of the Constitution. This being the case, I am aware that almost all Senators would wish to make their contribution heard in the debate. At a Special Meeting of the Senate Business Committee held on Tuesday, 27th April, 2021, the Committee deliberated on this matter and recommends to the Senate that, at the appropriate time, a Senator may move a Motion pursuant to Standing Order No.106(1) for limitation of time to 10 minutes for each Senator to speak, so that as many Senators as possible can contribute within the timeline specified in the Gazette Notice."
}