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{
    "id": 981149,
    "url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/981149/?format=api",
    "text_counter": 402,
    "type": "speech",
    "speaker_name": "Sen. Cherargei",
    "speaker_title": "",
    "speaker": {
        "id": 13217,
        "legal_name": "Cherarkey K Samson",
        "slug": "cherarkey-k-samson"
    },
    "content": "that the way we give attention to most of the Bills or amendments from the National Assembly, the National Assembly should also do the same so that we do not have most of our Bills delayed there. Secondly, on the proposed Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission Amendment No.3 Bill (National Assembly Bills No.35 of 2019). There was a proposal that we need to have a selection panel in place of 11 members. However, upon your direction and after consideration by my Committee, we reduced the number from 11 to seven. Senate Majority Leader has put it correctly that we are trying to fill the vacancies that are already in the IEBC as it is now which does not prevent IEBC being changed in the near future with the national discourse we are having at the moment. I know that the IEBC is suffering from a confidence crisis because of electoral justice and integrity. I also know that in the BBI report, there are recommendations that we reconstitute the IEBC which are among the constitutional issues that we raised as we go into the national discourse. Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir, there are three commissioners in place. We are aware as a Committee because we met the IEBC late last year. They wrote to the President to fill the vacancies. The current IEBC came to office eight months before. The selection panel at that time constituted of religious leaders who we thought could do a good job. It is the thinking of the National Assembly that we should have a selection panel in place with proper qualification. It is important that we have a fully constituted IEBC in office. This is because the conversation we are having on the Constitutional Amendment and the BBI is that some people are pushing for a referendum. We need a fully, properly and legally constituted IEBC in office. Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir, the Committee observation was that it was important to specify the number of commissioners of IEBC as provided in the Bill. This will avoid conflict of Parliament or both Houses if unable to agree on a number at any particular time. We agreed on seven so that in case there are differences between both Houses, it become easy to resolve. Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir, we thought the number of 11 members was a bit too high although Article 10 of the Constitution, as proposed by some of the stakeholders that if we reduce the number from 11 to seven, it will affect the issue of diversity. To me, the seven is leaner. We know many interest groups will urge for more commissioners. There is also the aspect of political sector players."
}