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{
    "id": 7253,
    "url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/7253/?format=api",
    "text_counter": 414,
    "type": "speech",
    "speaker_name": "Mr. Speaker",
    "speaker_title": "",
    "speaker": null,
    "content": "1. On whether or not the matter is sub judice, although the Court is yet to determine the issues in High Court Petition No. 185 of 2011, there can be no doubt that the exercise of the legislative mandate will not interfere with the decision of the Court as the two are addressing different aspects of the question of the election date. The legislative mandate includes the power to amend the Constitution through the procedure prescribed in Chapter 16. Consequently, I find that this matter is not sub judice. 2. On whether or not the Constitution permits the introduction of an amendment Bill that covers a number of subjects, I find that Article 256 of the Constitution and Chapter 16, as, indeed, the Constitution as a whole, do not bar the introduction of a Bill to amend the Constitution that addresses diverse matters – the so-called “omnibus” Bill. While it may, therefore, be undesirable to some, and quite in order for others, there is no bar in the Constitution to the introduction of a Bill that addresses itself to either a number of articles, chapters, subjects or themes in the same Bill. In any event, hon Members, drawing the distinction between a single issue amendment Bill as opposed to an omnibus Bill is, itself, a process that is fraught with challenges."
}