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{
    "id": 813924,
    "url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/813924/?format=api",
    "text_counter": 211,
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    "content": "sort of disbandment and even when the whole Commission’s life has ended and there is not an appropriate process to ensure that people come on board. Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir, this Bill, therefore, seeks to amend Sections 7 and 9 of the Salaries and Remuneration Act of 2011. It specifically goes to ensure that the process of selection of the commissioners is done within a specific timeframe. That point is very clear that we do not have a staggered process. One of the Members indicated that sometimes there are problems of having members, some who have served for one year and others who have served for two years. It is two sides of a coin. Sometimes, it can work as an advantage because of institutional memory, but clearly, it creates a problem in terms of understanding even when the various terms for those various people end. The problem is to ensure that the expiry term of the commissioners is clear. This Bill proposes to do this through an amendment that has to be put in a Gazette and that notification should enable people to know exactly what should happen. It also gives a clear procedure for nomination which is relevant and tends to be repeated over time across the board, that the relevant nominating body will start with an advertisement and people who are qualified will make applications and then move to interviews. Finally, with a selection panel, they ensure that the right people come on board. There are also times when it is important to ensure that regional and gender balance has been put in place such that at the end of the selection, you have ensured that the process has followed the rules that have been put in place. Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir, the panel will also comprise a chairperson and four other members drawn from the executive and professional organizations. This is standard practice. The work that these commissioners do, right from the beginning, is important and is hinged on the objects of the Commission as clearly stipulated in Article 249 of the Constitution. First and importantly is to protect the sovereignty of the people under the various responsibilities of those commissions; to secure the observance by all and to ensure that all the state organs actually practice values of democracy and keep the values and principles that are important.Last but not least, to promote constitutionalism. Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir, there has been a disconnect on when commissioners come on board and when their term actually expires. This Bill comes at a time when there is some crisis. This is because a new team for the Salaries and Remuneration Commission (SRC) should come on board and the process of selecting the chairperson and other members has already progressed yet there is no proper legislative framework to proceed with that process. This is, therefore, a straight forward Bill and it is timely. It will help create order, not only for the SRC, but also for the other commissions whose terms for beginning and expiry are not very clear. I beg to support."
}