By ALPHONCE SHIUNDU, ashiundu@ke.nationmedia.com
Posted Friday, July 8 2011 at 22:37
Posted Friday, July 8 2011 at 22:37
Kenyans might be given the powers to sack their MPs for mismanaging public resources or for staying away from the constituency.
A draft Elections Bill says MPs who do not work in Parliament or those who fail to push their constituents’ agenda will automatically become candidates for sacking.
The proposals are meant to help voters execute their new-found constitutional powers to eject non-performing or incompetent lawmakers from office.
Besides, an MP who acts in a manner that is “likely to bring ridicule, contempt, hatred or disrepute” to the office will be eligible for the axe from the voters.
Swindle businessmen
The numerous cases of married MPs philandering in city brothels with young university students or those who swindle businessmen will also make voters file a recall petition, citing “lack of moral standing and integrity”.
Those found guilty of misusing the Constituency Development Fund cash or other public resources and those who rarely go back to the constituency after an election are also eligible for recall.
MPs who can not effectively work in Parliament due to suspension from government or those who rarely speak in the House could also be targeted for recall.
According to the proposals, all that one needs to file a petition is a list of 10 per cent of voters in the constituency, with their signatures and voter registration details.
At least half of all the voters in the constituency need to turn up in the recall vote.
If the recall is successful, the seat is declared vacant and a by-election is ordered. An MP who is recalled is not eligible for the by-election.
The draft Elections Bill, 2011, is currently with the Commission for the Implementation of the Constitution awaiting views from the national taskforce on devolution.
Once enacted, the Bill will guide how the 2012 elections will be handled by the yet-to-be-formed Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC).
Once enacted, the Bill will guide how the 2012 elections will be handled by the yet-to-be-formed Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC).
The draft law makes it obligatory for media houses and individual journalists to cover all candidates and political parties fairly.
Coverage of polls
The IEBC will have the power to issue “binding directives to the media” regarding the coverage of polls.
The draft law also says that the State broadcaster, Kenya Broadcasting Corporation, will have to share airtime among the political parties and that none of them will have any influence on how they are covered.
Previously, the incumbent and candidates in his political party got a lot of positive coverage on KBC. Those of the opposition were given a blackout or very little coverage.
For the first time in the country’s history, Kenyans in the diaspora will be included in the voters’ roll. Although the draft Bill does not explain how they will vote, there is a possibility that they could vote at the embassies or online.
The registration of voters will be done all year round, and it will end three months before the polls. Voters will then have a month to inspect the register, before the books are closed awaiting the polling day.
Posts
With all due joys, this should be the period of utmost carefulness and
ReplyDeleteconscious concentration on the vital issues affecting the future the
nation and due attention of not being stabbed from the back.
Include the locality Most realtors, property brokers and
owners miss out on this when placing ads in newspapers for selling or leasing their properties.
Many Muslims in Europe are first of all Europeans, European by
birth, conviction and citizenship AND Muslim by faith. Do you have any of your own experiences to share with readers from all over the Christian community.
This is standard cat behavior I'm probably preaching to the choir here.
My homepage egyptian newspapers
They do not require as much work as many other animals do and are really
ReplyDeletefun to watch. Some Local News papers/journals/
tabloids/Magazines focus on regional happenings and target local audiences/ readers.
He becomes a different person once he dons his uniform to the sound of the orchestra
warming up. However, the English newspapers are much central to urban areas.
A Christian newspaperis also associated with various charitable
institutions and churches and organizes fund raising events to help and aid such
institutions.
Here is my homepage; click here
Pilots complete flights for their airline, using their simulator, either online (using
ReplyDeletea network such as Sim - Miles) or offline, and then file
a pilot report. Now player can think that why they select this game.
This game by Hexacto is simple, straightforward, and fun.
Still, within each of these types of simulation games, certain
games tend to rise to the top. Yes, it may be true, but the training flights are
different.