NCC adopts clause to extend National Assembly’s term

NCC adopts clause to extend National Assembly’s term
Written by Katwishi Bwalya and Allan Mulenga
Wednesday, February 04, 2009 11:16:32 AM

THE legislative committee of the National Constitution Conference (NCC) has adopted a clause that will give mandate to the National Assembly to extend its term by one year through a simple majority vote when the country is at war.

During the ongoing sittings, members of the committee unanimously agreed to adopt the clause, saying it was necessary for Parliament to extend its mandate by one year when the country was at war.

Supporting the clause, chieftainess Nkomeshya Mukamambo said it was necessary for Parliament to extend its mandate through a simple majority.

"If we allow a two-thirds majority I don't think that will work well because the country will be in an emergency and Parliament might not manage to call all the members of parliament to sit and approve the mandate," Nkomeshya said.

But committee member Chrispine Sibetta cautioned the members against allowing a simple majority saying a two-thirds majority would be most ideal.

Works and supply minister Mike Mulongoti also submitted that it would be logically difficult for all the members to be present when the country was at war and advocated a simple majority to approve Parliament's mandate.

"I submit that simple majority would be the most ideal because Parliament would not manage to mobilise all the members of parliament when the country was at war," Mulongoti submitted.

The meeting then agreed to give mandate to the National Assembly at any time - when the Republic is at war by a resolution supported by a simple majority vote of members - to extend the term of Parliament by 12 months at a time.

And the executive committee of the NCC reduced the age limit of the person to be appointed as the Secretary to the Cabinet from the draft constitution's proposal of 45 years and above to not less than 35 years.

During the ongoing committee sittings, members reached a consensus to adopt clause 154 of the draft constitution with amendments.

Lundazi member of parliament Mukhondo Lungu argued that the clause was discriminatory because it denied those with ability to serve in public service.

Lungu was supported by Lwampa member of parliament Josephine Limata who submitted that the age limit of 45 years for one to be appointed Secretary to the Cabinet would deny an opportunity for young and vibrant individuals willing to work in the public service.

"When we make the age limit of 45 years of age, what will happen to those who want to serve in public service?" Limata asked.

But Chifunabuli member of parliament Ernest Mwansa submitted that the age limit for the person to be appointed Secretary to the Cabinet should be between 35 to 40 years.

"Let us remember that we have already discriminated people of less than 35 years to the office of the presidency, so why don't we broaden the age limit? I am more comfortable with the age limit between 35 and 40 years," Mwansa proposed.

The committee also proposed an increase in the term of office of the Secretary to the Cabinet from the proposed three years in the draft constitution to five years.