By Nasratu Kargbo
Speaker of Sierra Leone’s Parliament, Dr. Chernor Abass Bundu has said Opposition Members of Parliament Elect that are yet to take the oath of office have breached the contract they had with their people and urged them to assume their seats in parliament.
Speaking in Parliament on the 17th of August 2023, Dr. Bundu stated that the elected MPs were not forced to contest for the position, and it is their duty to represent their people.
“By failing thus far to come and take their seats, they must know that they are in breach of their contract with the people who voted them to parliament, and they must also know that there is a consequence for such a breach”, the speaker stressed.
He explained that there is no evidence that they were coerced to stand for election, “on the contrary, they stood for the elections voluntarily and freely made promises of all sorts to their supporters, thus demonstrating their willingness and determination to represent their people”, he went on.
Bundu said that aside from the court there is no better platform for MPs to elect to air their grievances, concerns, and interest than parliament. He reminded them that the clock of thirty days is ticking, explaining that parliament has had twelve plenary sittings and seven sessional committee sittings. He warned that the law of the land is supreme.
“I say to them please come and exercise your right of representation, you will receive the full protection of this noble house”, he stated and thanked members of the party and paramount chiefs who are trying to persuade the MPs to attend the sitting.
Member of Parliament from the Western Area Urban Ibrahim Tawa Conteh highlighted several sections in the 1991 constitution and Parliament’s Standing Orders (SO), explaining that Section 94 Sub-section 3 of the 1991 Constitution speaks on skipping activities of parliament and that the proceedings are considered valid despite the absences of members of parliament.
He further highlighted Section 94 sub-section 1 of the constitution which gives parliament the powers to regulate itself and SO 77 (2) which speaks on the duration of absenteeism for MPs. Conteh added that it is important that the Speaker reminded the MPs to elect about the timeframe of absenting from parliament.
Conteh said as MPs from the ruling party are not afraid to execute their functions under the guidance and protection of the constitution.
“It must be known that it is a moral responsibility by our colleagues to come and represent their people within the ambit of the law, let them come and respect the wishes of the people,” the MP said. He explained that whatever they do presently is not done under the umbrella of their party but as members of parliament.
Parliament’s SO 77(2) (a) states that “Any Member who, without good cause, during any session is absent from sittings of parliament on a number of days amounting to an aggregate period or thirty days shall vacate his seat”
Fifty-two out of fifty-four Members of Parliament that were elected from the country’s main Opposition All People’s Congress are yet to take oath of office. This is a result of the decision taken and communicated to the public via a press release on the party’s stance to boycott all forms of governance which include legislature and local council.
The Party took the decision after a series of complaints of being dissatisfied with the conduct of the June 24 General Elections.
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