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{
    "id": 655982,
    "url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/655982/?format=api",
    "text_counter": 283,
    "type": "speech",
    "speaker_name": "Hon. Otsiula",
    "speaker_title": "",
    "speaker": {
        "id": 1295,
        "legal_name": "Bonface Okhiya Otsiula",
        "slug": "bonface-okhiya-otsiula"
    },
    "content": "Thank you for the intervention. I was appreciating the contribution by the Departmental Committee on Justice and Legal Affairs. As ably explained by our Chairman, these are very robust amendments as we look forward to proper election management in this country. I want to particularly appreciate the provision requiring that members of Parliament and members of county assemblies should have some minimum requirements. It should not be free for all. If you are a Member of Parliament, my Hon. Colleagues and the MCAs, we should not be scared when we talk of degree for a Member of the National Assembly and a diploma for the MCAs. If we give out bursaries, we need to lead by example. We give out bursaries for students to study in the universities and colleges. Why should we shun studies? Why should we be afraid of books? We must lead by example. The best example is for you to show those students you are issuing bursaries so that you are also ready to lead by having a relevant certificate in the area where you are proposing to promote. In this country, elections have been managed very poorly. It is like party leaders are owners of the elections. They decide on who comes in and who goes out at any time and at will. With these robust amendments coming up, I believe we are moving in the right direction as a country right from the time of voter registration, the election date, management of the election, arising disputes and deciding which disputes will go to the tribunal and which ones will go to the court. Those proposed amendments also streamline the nature of the party lists to be presented to the electoral body. All this will go a long way in ensuring that we have free, fair and well-run elections. In any game where there are no proper rules, there are always problems. As you see, what is happening now is that unless we revamp the electoral institutions, it is going to be a big challenge to us as a country. Therefore, without taking much time because I know quite a good number of my colleagues would wish to contribute on this amendment, I second. Thank you."
}