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{
    "id": 692286,
    "url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/692286/?format=api",
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    "content": "If the Committee wanted to be a bit friendly to the independent candidate, they would have required the political parties to update names, not 60 days before the general election, but maybe four months before the general election so that any person who now feels aggrieved can resign and fulfill the requirements of the Constitution which are 90 days before the election date. Mr. Temporary Speaker, Sir, there are many positives in not allowing party-hopping after the nomination since we are now trying g to create a political culture. We are trying to make those who want to vie to think ahead on which party ideology they agree with, feel at home with and stick to that party rather than where the political party is just used to further the interests of an individual. That is because I am now in party “a” and since I have not been nominated you jump to party “b” overnight, all because of personal interest to be elected. I am sure that this will create a positive new political culture in this country. To further that new positive political culture, it behooves the party leaders and the officials to really ensure that their party primaries are free, fair and above board. This is because we end up creating this situation where we are proceeding on the basis of good faith that it will happen. If it does not happen, then we will be creating party dictators who will be there and you can only be a member or participate if there is a nod from the top. That is what we must avoid. I am appealing that as we accept these amendments, to stop party-hopping, which is good for the country. However, the political parties should also play their role in ensuring that their members enjoy all the political rights which are enshrined in Article 38(1) of our Constitution. It says:- “Every citizen is free to make political choices, which includes the right— ( a ) To form, or participate in forming, a political party; ( b ) To participate in the activities of, or recruit members for, a political party; or ( c ) To campaign for a political party or cause. (2) Every citizen has the right to free, fair and regular elections based on universal suffrage and the free expression of the will of the electors for— ( a ) Any elective public body or office established under this Constitution; or ( b ) Any office of any political party of which the citizen is a member. Mr. Temporary Speaker, Sir, it is in that standing for positions that we want to make sure that the political parties have a system which is transparent, and democratic in nominating people to the various positions. This is not just for elections, but for all the positions that they require a political party even to nominate to stand in a particular area. With those few remarks, after receiving those submissions and after reading the Report of the Joint Committee on the IEBC, we, as a Committee, recommend this Bill be enacted by the Senate."
}