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{
    "id": 1143968,
    "url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/1143968/?format=api",
    "text_counter": 12,
    "type": "speech",
    "speaker_name": "Hon. Lusaka",
    "speaker_title": "The Speaker",
    "speaker": null,
    "content": "Elections. In this respect, all Hon. Senators are urged to be available to consider the aforesaid instruments. Hon. Senators, you will recall that during the Fifth Session, Senators went above and beyond the call of duty in discharging their constitutional mandate and, considered and passed 26 Bills, three of which have since been assented to and are now law. The other 23 Bills referred to the National Assembly are at various stages of consideration. A total of 26 Senate Bills and three National Assembly Bills are pending conclusion in the Senate, while one Bill is at the Mediation stage. A further 20 Bills are undergoing the concurrence process pursuant to Article 110(3) of the Constitution. Additionally, there are 46 petitions which are yet to be reported on by the respective Standing Committees alongside Statements pursuant to Standing Order 47 and 48. From the aforementioned, the Senate begins the Sixth Session with an already full plate. As you are aware, hon. Senators, at the beginning of each new Session, the Sessional Committee on County Public Accounts and Investments and the Committee on Delegated Legislation are re-constituted. Similarly, the Senate Business Committee is also reconstituted. At the appropriate time as indicated on today’s Order Paper, the Senate Majority Leader will Move a Motion for constitution of the Senate Business Committee. If the Motion is carried, the Committee will meet at the rise of the Senate to consider and schedule the business of the Senate. The Committee will also deliberate on the matter of Sessional Committees and submit names for approval, after consultations with the Majority and Minority Parties, in line with Standing Order No.189. As we begin the new Session, hon. Senators, we are all alive to the fact that this is an election year. I am certain that navigating the Senate through this period will certainly present its fair share of challenges. However, I urge all of us to debate passionately while upholding decorum and dignity of the Senate. This way, we will remain a beacon of hope and maintain our dignity as a House and as a people. We will also pass the business before us quicker. In conclusion, I take this opportunity to remind each of you that we are not yet out of the woods as regards the COVID-19 pandemic. We must exercise caution and strictly adhere to the guidelines for social distancing and keeping safe in our interactions within the precincts of Parliament and our individual day-to-day engagements including Committee sittings. As always, my Office and that of the Clerk are always at your disposal to facilitate you to undertake the constitutional mandate of the Senate. I wish you all a fruitful Sixth Session. Thank you."
}