MCP supports implementation of Sec 65
The Malawi Congress Party (MCP) has thrown its weight behind the calls for Speaker of Parliament, Henry Chimunthu Banda to invoke Section 65 on all Members of Parliament who crossed the floor and defected to ruling Peoples Party (PP).
The party’s stand came about following the meeting Public Affairs Committee (Pac) had with the Speaker on Friday to find out reasons behind his failure to effect the Section on about 30 MPs who have defected to PP from Democratic Progressive Party (DPP).
During the meeting which was a follow up from Pac’s resolutions of the Second All- Inclusive Stakeholders Conference which took place in October last, Chimunthu Banda said could no act due to injunctions some MPs had obtained.
The controversial Section 65 was justified by the country’s Constitutional court.
But MCP spokesperson on Finance, Joseph Njobvuyalema faulted Banda for breaking Parliament Rule and Regulations, which allows the Speaker to proceeding with action despite any court declaration.
“I as a Parliamentarian and MCP as the party we are supporting the need for the Speaker to implement Section 65. Since we don’t have any MP who defected to government side, it’s up to DPP as affected party to lead and we will support it,” said Njobvuyalema in an interview with Capital Radio.
He said in order to uphold the rule of law; the Speaker needs to implement the Section in the next coming session of Parliament.
Chimunthu Banda said as it stands now Section 65 matters are in courts and, as such, there is nothing they can do until the court processes are over.
“I informed them that the Speaker has not provided any ruling on this [Section 65] matter due to injunctions which stopped processing of petitions. That upon conclusion of court processes the matter will come back to Parliament and, at that stage; the Speaker will provide a ruling,” said Chimunthu Banda.
Apart from issue of Section 65, Pac and Banda also discussed the harmonization of electoral laws, thus, Parliamentary and Presidential Elections Law, paving way for the tripartite elections.
