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| T O P I C R E V I E W |
| Momodou |
Posted - 13 Apr 2017 : 08:50:05
NATIONAL ASSEMBLY MEMBERS SWORN IN In the midst of controversy
Foroyaa Editorial: April 12, 2017
http://www.foroyaa.gm/archives/15243
58 members of the national assembly were yesterday 11 April 2017 sworn in before taking their seats. The 58 members comprise 53 elected members and five nominated members who are Hon. Mariam Denton, Hon. Momodou Sanneh (former minority leader and member for Kiang West), Hon. Majanko Samusa, Hon. Ndey Yassin Secka and Hon. Kumba Jaiteh.
Hon. Mariam Denton was elected as Speaker, Hon. Kebba K. Barrow was elected as minority leader in a controversy over procedure and Hon. Samba Jallow was elected minority leader also in the midst of controversy over procedure.
Halifa Sallah, the member for Serrekunda expressed the view that the proclamation of the president on the first session of the National Assembly after the National Assembly elections of April 6 has not been published in the gazette. He emphasized that it is such publication that gives legal authority to the convening of the first session since a law becomes operational upon publication in the Gambia Gazette.
Regarding the election of the majority leader, Halifa Sallah argued that the standing orders clearly stipulates that the leader of the party with the most members is the majority leader and all the UDP needed to do was to identify that leader to the clerk. As for the election of the minority leader the member for Serrekunda argued that since the standing orders is silent there was need for the Assembly to first agree on a procedure before proceeding to election.
There were no conclusions on the issues raised. Both elections proceeded however.
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| 3 L A T E S T R E P L I E S (Newest First) |
| Momodou |
Posted - 16 Apr 2017 : 17:33:35
A NEW NATIONAL ASSEMBLY WITH A NEW SPIRIT
Foroyaa: April 13, 2017
http://www.foroyaa.gm/archives/15265
The old national assembly dominated by the APRC is no more. It acted as a rubber stamp and a jamboree to sing praises to the president. Members were not guided by the national interest and the dictates of their conscience as required for all members by section 112 of the Constitution.
Now we have a new National Assembly and with it a fresh start where the standing orders are respected and invoked; where members will be guided by section 112. It seems the developments at the last sitting are an indication of a new start. |
| Momodou |
Posted - 13 Apr 2017 : 08:58:56
WHY DID THE UDP FAIL TO TELL THE NATIONAL ASSEMBLY WHO IS ITS LEADER IN THE NATIONAL ASSEMBLY?
Foroyaa: April 12, 2017
QUESTION OF THE DAY
http://www.foroyaa.gm/archives/15245
WHY DID THE UDP FAIL TO TELL THE NATIONAL ASSEMBLY WHO IS ITS LEADER IN THE NATIONAL ASSEMBLY?
The standing order of the National Assembly states that, “Majority leader means the member in the National Assembly who is the leader of the party that has the highest number of elected members in the Assembly.”
This is plain language. It means that the UDP which has 31 elected members should have informed the clerk of the national assembly before the session who its parliamentary leader is. This should have been sufficient to announce who the majority leader is.
However, a debate unfolded as to whether the majority leader was to be determined by election or not. The debate on this issue was inconclusive. The speaker simply proceeded to hold elections after a member of the UDP for Lower Niumi proposed for her to proceed with the election of majority leader despite objection from Halifa Sallah that the procedure was flawed.
The media should now take up the debate. Foroyaa will raise questions on this matter at the press conference to be held by Halifa Sallah and then reach out to the UDP, NRP, GDC, PPP, APRC and other members for their opinions. Whatever debate is inconclusive at the National Assembly will be pursued by Foroyaa on all issues until the debate is conclusive. There must be transparency and accountability in the new Gambia.
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| Momodou |
Posted - 13 Apr 2017 : 08:51:12
THINGS CAN NEVER BE THE SAME AGAIN
Foroyaa: April 12, 2017
http://www.foroyaa.gm/archives/15247
The National Assembly has now been convened under a new situation of the country. The debate which has started proves that it will never be business as usual. The first debate dealt with the constitutionality of the proceedings.
The member for Serrekunda questioned the Chief Justice who presided over the opening session whether the proclamation for the holding of the first sitting of the national assembly was published in the gazette, which gives him legal authority to preside over the proceeding.
He declined to answer the question posed and passed it on to the Clerk of the National Assembly who claimed that he is not aware of any constitutional provision which made the publication of the proclamation of the executive mandatory. Halifa Sallah insisted that any proclamation from the executive is required by law to be published in the gazette before it becomes law. According to Halifa Sallah it is unconstitutional to observe any proclamation that is not published in the gazette. This debate was unsettled. The Chief Justice simply said that his point is noted.
Foroyaa will seek more clarification on this matter after been informed at a press conference to be held by noon today by Mr Sallah. The debate continues as the country opens up for more transparency and accountability in governance.
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