By Thoboloko Ntšonyane
MASERU – Minister of Justice and Law Advocate Lekhetho Rakuoane has on Friday tabled the National Assembly Electoral (Amendment) Bill, 2022 following resistance from the Members of Parliament (MPs).
The Minister wanted the Bill to be waived off from undergoing the relevant Portfolio Committee review, saying the committee has “problems”.
He argued that the Standing Order makes provision for the suspension of stipulated regulations and this could be granted if the Speaker of the House accedes.
Advocate Rakuoane also said the Bill should be processed speedily citing exigency of time.
The Minister’s submissions were however met with resistance from MPs who booed him, saying he is not following the laid down procedural processes.
Alliance of Democrats (AD) proportional representative (PR) Kose Makoa objected to the application for suspension of standing order, saying it ought to have been reflected in the order paper.
He bowed down from the pressure and withdrew the application to suspend the requirement of going to the Law portfolio committee.
Making a ruling, the Speaker of the National Assembly Sephiri Motanyane said the house has the power to suspend the standing order in question.
He also said it ought to have passed through the Business Committee, a committee that allocates the business of the house. The Speaker also warned that it might be “difficult” in future to bring this bill into the House.
If it passes, the Bill will see deregistration of political party that fail to meet threshold of 500 votes in the previous general elections.
The Bill now stands referred to the Legislation Committee for scrutiny and engagement from relevant stakeholders.
