Entry Instance

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

{
    "id": 47746,
    "url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/47746/?format=api",
    "text_counter": 289,
    "type": "speech",
    "speaker_name": "Mr. M. Kilonzo",
    "speaker_title": "The Minister for Justice, National Cohesion and Constitutional Affairs",
    "speaker": {
        "id": 47,
        "legal_name": "Mutula Kilonzo",
        "slug": "mutula-kilonzo"
    },
    "content": "Mr. Temporary Deputy Speaker, Sir, many Members have talked about part time and full time. I want to say, again, without fear, because I am a student of constitutional law and constitutional practice and I have checked the practice in all Commonwealth countries, the best example of how to manage elections professionally is India. In fact, the Constitution only appoints one Commissioner. The others are appointed ad hoc, if and when needed, as time goes on. Some of them are appointed during the actual elections. This matter was discussed at the Cabinet and sub-committee levels. I am not disclosing any secret. In an effort to move responsibility, basically on administration and management, implementation of policy from the Commission and avoid the confusion of the Kivuitu Commission and others, it was felt that we should make at least two Commissioners full time. This is because they would be the ones who would be there daily to make sure that they supervise the Secretariat to ensure that policy as approved by the entire Commission is implemented. But again, my country is not an easy country. If the honourable House feels that we make all these full time, I sincerely would not waste any sleep over it. I have done my best to advise my country. After 2012, by-elections will be on and off. Commissioners do not have to be there full time. Otherwise, the Secretariat would start behaving like it is just a spare wheel. We will lose the benefit of the experience of 2007/2008. Therefore, I strongly still recommend that even if you are changing this to full time from part-time, we split the Commissioners who can by lot determine the number that would be part- time and full-time. By being part-time, it does not mean you do not work everyday. In fact, you can be part-time and work every day. All that we want to do is to make sure is that the Commission knows it is non-executive. Luckily, nobody has challenged that provision."
}