National Assembly to vote on 2/3rd gender bill on Wednesday

The National Assembly will on Wednesday afternoon attempt another vote on the two thirds gender bill after deferring the vote last year. 

The bill seeks to have Parliament conform to the two thirds gender principle provided for in article 81(b) of the constitution.

The debate is lined as the first business the house will transact in afternoon in a tentative order paper already posted.

The vote on the bill by Majority leader Aden Duale had been deferred last year to allow for more consultations.

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The bill proposes to amend articles 97 and 98 of the constitution to ensure that both houses of Parliament comply with the two thirds gender rule.

While debating the bill, some lawmakers had raised concerns that the bill does not provide for a formula for the nomination of MPs to Parliament.

Leader of Majority Aden Duale then sought the deferment of the vote arguing that there no quorum for the House to proceed with the vote.

233 MPS will be required to be present in the house before the bill is called to a vote.

The bill has failed three attempts in parliament and should it suffer the same fate then it can only be reintroduced in the house after six months.

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