{"id":710741,"url":"http://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/710741/?format=json","text_counter":274,"type":"speech","speaker_name":"claimer","speaker_title":"","speaker":null,"content":"14. Section 43 of the Elections Act, 2011 is amended by inserting the following new subsection immediately after subsection (5)— “(5A) A public officer who intends to contest in a by-election under this Act shall resign from public office within seven days of the declaration of a vacancy.” With regard to general election, it is very clear. If you want to contest in a general election, you must resign at least six months before the general election. With regard to by-election, it is not provided. What we are providing is what was missing out; the lacuna that was in the law. So, we are providing that a public officer who intends to contest in a by-election under this Act shall resign from public office within seven days of the declaration of a vacancy with regard to a by-election."}