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{
    "id": 1494749,
    "url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/1494749/?format=api",
    "text_counter": 466,
    "type": "speech",
    "speaker_name": "Sen. Osotsi",
    "speaker_title": "",
    "speaker": {
        "id": 13588,
        "legal_name": "Osotsi Godfrey Otieno",
        "slug": "osotsi-godfrey-otieno"
    },
    "content": "Thank you, Mr. Temporary Speaker, Sir, for the opportunity to also make my contribution to this important Bill—the Election (Amendment) (No.2) Bill, No.29 of 2024. That is a product of the National Dialogue Committee (NADCO) process. I am happy that this House has already dispensed with the Political Parties Act, which is now supposed to go to a Committee of the Whole House. Now, we are handling the Election Amendments Bill. I want to support the provisions in this Bill, although I have reservations about a few others. Let me start by looking at Clause 3, which states that people who register as voters during the by-election process should ideally not be eligible to contest elections in that electoral area. You remember we had the long-drawn case of Keith Kilonzo, which many people are questioning why she was not able to contest. It is important that during that period, people who are keen to be candidates are stopped, because why is it at the last minute? That is a very progressive amendment and I support it. I also want to support Sen. Cherarkey’s statement that elections in this country are very expensive. We conduct a very expensive election process and it must be looked into so that we do not derail other important national programmes. Mr. Temporary Speaker, Sir, let me also comment on what is happening now. It is a pity that this country does not have an IEBC Commission. It is very risky too. We have a secretariat but no commission. It is important that the courts also take judicial notice of The electronic version of the Senate Hansard Report is for information purposes only.A certified version of this Report can be obtained from the Director, Hansard and Audio Services,Senate."
}