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{
    "id": 884709,
    "url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/884709/?format=api",
    "text_counter": 92,
    "type": "speech",
    "speaker_name": "Hon. Speaker",
    "speaker_title": "",
    "speaker": null,
    "content": "The Members making their way, please, make you way quickly. If you are coming in, please, make your way into the Chamber quickly. Hon. Members, I continue. In this respect, the Chair has had the occasion to re-look at the arguments advanced by the Leader of the Majority Party and noted that he, indeed, raises a constitutional issue which should, ideally, be dispensed with before the House proceeds with the consideration of a Report with the risk of making a resolution in vain. Hon. Members, you will also recall that following the request, various Members of the House urged that the Report be allowed to proceed to debate and that any anomaly or otherwise be left for the House to decide. I am fully cognisant of the fact that the decisions of this House are expressed with the endorsement of the votes of a majority of the Members. Whereas I hold no vote, the Constitution and the Standing Orders of this House oblige me to address any questions of unconstitutionality at any time and not fold my arms and preside over deliberations. I agree that the possibility exists of the required majority of Members voting against the recommendation in issue or a Member proposing an amendment to expunge the recommendation with the support of the required majority. But what if neither of the two events come to pass? I think the House would stand indicted not just because of the untenable recommendation being adopted, but also for the failure on my part to act to arrest a patently incongruous outcome. It is therefore, my considered opinion that a question on the constitutionality or otherwise of business ought not be left to a vote by the House or potential amendment, but should be resolved by the Speaker once raised. Hon. Members, the point raised by the Leader of the Majority Party and the interventions by other Members thereafter crystallised the third issue of the mandate of the House with regard to the removal from office of State and public officers under the Constitution pursuant to the provisions of Articles 95 and 251 of the Constitution. Article 95 of the Constitution outlines the role of the National Assembly with regard to the issue at hand as follows, and I quote: “(2) The National Assembly deliberates on and resolves issues of concern to the people. (5) The National Assembly—"
}