{"id":821407,"url":"http://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/821407/?format=json","text_counter":9,"type":"speech","speaker_name":"Hon. Speaker","speaker_title":"","speaker":null,"content":"Hon. Members, Standing Order 225(2)(b) requires that the Speaker reports to the House any petition other than those presented through a Member. I, therefore, wish to convey to the House that my office has received a Petition from a Dr. Gibson Maachanga Mareko, regarding proposals to amend the Constitution. The petitioner is asking the National Assembly to amend Articles 81, 138, 144, 145 and 148 of the Constitution to provide that: (i) No person shall hold the same elective office for more than two terms; (ii) A person shall be elected President of the Republic if they receive more than 70 per cent of all valid votes cast in an election; (iii) If the threshold is not reached, the two leading candidates should be declared first and second Presidents, having garnered at least 30 per cent of the valid votes cast, and each serve one term. The petitioner, therefore, prays that the National Assembly amends the Constitution as proposed to increase the threshold for the presidency so as to eliminate negative ethnicity, ensure Government inclusivity, promote nationalism and political tolerance and foster political maturity. Pursuant to the provisions of Standing Order 227, this petition stands committed to the Departmental Committee on Justice and Legal Affairs for consideration. The Committee is requested to consider the petition and report its findings to the House and to the petitioner within 60 days in accordance with Standing Order 227(2). I thank you. Leader of the Minority Party, do you want to comment on this?"}