Entry Instance

HTTP 200 OK
Allow: GET, PUT, PATCH, DELETE, HEAD, OPTIONS
Content-Type: application/json
Vary: Accept

{
    "id": 838428,
    "url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/838428/?format=api",
    "text_counter": 95,
    "type": "speech",
    "speaker_name": "Kangundo, Muungano",
    "speaker_title": "Hon. Fabian Muli",
    "speaker": {
        "id": 13360,
        "legal_name": "Fabian Kyule Muli",
        "slug": "fabian-kyule-muli-2"
    },
    "content": " Thank you, Hon. Deputy Speaker. I rise to support this Bill. Elections in this country are very important, not only for the people living within the jurisdiction of this country, but also those living abroad. It is true that the date set for elections in the Constitution is August, but this date raised a lot of questions. I urge Members to not only debate what the Constitution says, but to come up with solutions. It is true that the Constitution might raise factual points with regard to the law, but that law might not be serving the purpose of the community. It might not be serving the purpose and direction of this country. I do not support a referendum, but I cannot support something which will not serve the purpose of citizens. In the culture and tradition of this country, elections are a major celebration. The country is normally set for celebrations in December. Currently, elections that happen in August really disrupt the education system in this country. We are looking for turnout in elections. We want every citizen to have a conducive environment and ample time to prepare to vote. We have to ask ourselves what time our people normally approach their constituencies and wards. That time is in December. Our budget is passed in June. You cannot pass the budget and then hold elections in two months. We have to consider all the factors. Even if the Constitution says that we extend the date and term to go to a referendum, that does not mean that those dates stay intact because we will go to a referendum. This Bill has already found its way to this House. Because it has found its way to the House, we have to interpret the Constitution in the best way possible. There are people who said that there are normally petitions after elections. A petition is a judicial question. A judicial question cannot be waylaid by public issues. You cannot say that we should hold elections in August so that we can handle those petitions. Holding elections in December will not affect the time for handling petitions. Also, the issue that you cannot approach another year because you had elections in December is not a point. We need to give our people enough time for elections. I do not support the referendum, but I support holding elections in December."
}