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| T O P I C R E V I E W |
| Momodou |
Posted - 30 Dec 2015 : 18:04:58
Bill increasing number of Constituencies passed
By Kebba Jeffang
Foroyaa: December 30, 2015
The National Assembly members on Tuesday, 29th December, 2015 passed bill that seeks to increase the number of National New National Assembly BuildingAssembly members from 48 to at least 53.
The Bill seeks to amend the 1997 Constitution of the Republic of the Gambia.
Introducing the bill before the deputies, Mama Fatima Singhateh, the Attorney General and Minister of Justice highlighting the objective and reasons of the bill said, section 50 (3) of the Constitution empowers the Independent Electoral Commission (IEC) to demarcate constituencies in the absence of a Constituency Boundaries Commission. Accordingly she said the IEC has decided to increase the number of elected members of the National Assembly members from 48 to 53.
“Given that the Constitution provides for 48 members, this bill seeks to amend the 1997 constitution of the Gambia to provide for an increase in the number of members of the National Assembly who are elected from constituencies, from 48 to at least 53 to cater for any future increment without the need for another Constitutional amendment,” said Minister Singhateh.
Meanwhile, section 88 (1) of the constitution is amended in paragraph (a) by substituting for the words ‘forty-eight members,’ the words ‘at least fifty-three members.’
In seconding the motion, Hon. Ousman Njie, MP for Sami constituency said the bill is important because the demarcation forms a major component of election to ensure the people are fairly represented in the National Assembly. He added that the constituencies demarcated are densely populated.
However, Hon. Samba Jallow, the deputy for Niamina Dankunku who doubles as the minority leader said IEC has already done the demarcation of the constituencies without the amendment of the Constitution contrary to the language of the minister who said “IEC proposed.”
He said he doesn’t know what is to be done first either amendment of the constitution or demarcation.
Meanwhile, Hon. Fabakary Tombong Jatta, member for Serekunda East who is also the Majority leader said the bill is not controversial because putting the cart before the horse or otherwise are all applicable in this case. He said if you are proposing something there is no need to wait for the law so that when the law is enacted one continues. He said the demarcation affected Serekunda and Tallinding constituencies. He added that there is a provision of the constitution that states in the absence of the Boundary Commission, IEC can create constituencies.
However, the Justice Minister when responding to the concern raised by the minority leader said amendment is just a proposal and the demarcation has not yet been acted upon. She said unless the law is passed, IEC cannot act on demarcation.
The bill was subsequently passed by the unanimous vote of the members, once again giving the nation’s election body the power to demarcate the constituencies and increment of the members of the parliament from 48 to 53.
Source: http://www.foroyaa.gm/archives/8735 |
| 3 L A T E S T R E P L I E S (Newest First) |
| Momodou |
Posted - 07 Jan 2016 : 19:06:50
WHAT IS THE EFFECT OF THE AMENDMENT BILL TO INCREASE THE NUMBER OF CONSTITUENCIES TO 53?
Foroyaa Editor: January 7, 2016
QUESTION OF THE DAY
WHAT IS THE EFFECT OF THE AMENDMENT BILL TO INCREASE THE NUMBER OF CONSTITUENCIES TO 53?
First and foremost, the bill must be assented to and published in the Gazette to put it into effect. Secondly, the IEC cannot demarcate constituencies until the law comes into effect.Thirdly, general registration of voters would have to take place in those constituencies for all residents who are qualified to be registered.
Foroyaa will take up the matter with the IEC to alert voters on time.
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| kayjatta |
Posted - 02 Jan 2016 : 18:33:26
This statement below by my "uncle" is the dumbest I have ever heard
"Hon. Fabakary Tombong Jatta, member for Serekunda East who is also the Majority leader said the bill is not controversial because putting the cart before the horse or otherwise are all applicable in this case. He said if you are proposing something there is no need to wait for the law so that when the law is enacted one continues. He said the demarcation affected Serekunda and Tallinding constituencies. He added that there is a provision of the constitution that states in the absence of the Boundary Commission, IEC can create constituencies."
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| Momodou |
Posted - 30 Dec 2015 : 18:19:07
http://www.foroyaa.gm/archives/8741
THE PASSING OF A BILL TO INCREASE THE NUMBER OF CONSTITUENCIES
Foroyaa Editorial: December 30, 2015
When the IEC issued a notice in the Gazette dated 15th June 2015 that it has demarcated Kombo North, Kombo Central, Serre Kunda East and Serre Kunda Central to increase the number of constituencies from 48 to 53, we indicated that its actions flouted Section 88 of the Constitution which restricted the number of Constituencies to 48. We emphasised that there could be no demarcation of constituencies without constitutional amendment.
Amendments require publications in the Gazette for a period of at least three months and ten days before the Bill is introduced in the National Assembly.
Now a Bill has been introduced which seeks to amend Section 88 of the Constitution to indicate that the National Assembly shall comprise at least 53 constituencies. Once this Bill is assented to by the President, it would become law.
Hence the IEC would be able to proceed with its demarcation. |
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