Entry Instance

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

{
    "id": 47749,
    "url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/47749/?format=api",
    "text_counter": 292,
    "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, the question of policy versus implementation is addressed by that Article. If you look at the functions of the Commission, they are very well laid out. We have tried in the Bill to actually itemise them, so that the Secretary will never for one moment think that he is the boss of the Commission. In fact, he is required to report and be answerable to the Commission. Therefore, we have drawn a very fine line, so that this country can turn a new page. I want to assure hon. Members that I will bring an amendment to include a penalty clause for any Commissioner or member of staff who violates the law or ignores the provisions of this law. It will be a very stiff penalty. For the time being, we had put a penalty on page 173 of the Bill. If you look at the code of conduct, schedule IV, Clause No.11 therein. But again, after listening to hon. Members over the last three weeks, I am now satisfied that we must bring a very serious penalty clause against the Commissioners themselves, officers and members of staff. I have been asked, because I cannot address every Member individually, to be careful about the use of the words “appropriate technology”. Member after Member, particularly my good friend hon. Gumbo said that I must be careful. However, I cannot apologise to my country because I do not want to have a problem later when I go to heaven and I am asked by my Lord Jesus Christ: “I had violence in elections, but you did not help me. There was murder and theft of elections, you did not help.” Since I have the knowledge, skills and ability, I want to say to this country, the time to adopt electronic voter registration and electronic voting system has come. It is expensive, but the definition of appropriate technology cannot occur in this law. I intend to bring it for debate in this House in the actual electoral law. We will tie it down sufficiently to the satisfaction of hon. Gumbo and others who are worried about it."
}