Recent Bunge seen‘most chaotic’

THE Legal and Human Rights Centre (LHRC) has singled out use of 'abusive language' and poor attendance as some of the glaring shortcomings that tainted the third meeting of the 10th Parliamentary session.

An LHRC report classified the session that ended in Dodoma on April 16, this year as the most chaotic ever, whereby MPs clearly flouted parliamentary regulations.

Unveiling the report in Dar es Salaam on Thursday, the Acting LHRC Director, Ms Imelda Urio said lack of discipline in the House disappointed the electorate and the entire public because legislators were expected to fulfil their obligations as committed people's representatives.

"Booing and uttering provocative remarks like 'close the doors, let us fight,' or 'let them go to Loliondo for the healing cup,' were unwarranted and a waste of precious House time,' she said.

Section 64 (g) of the parliamentary regulations prohibits making derogatory remarks in the House.

"Self esteem improves individual's credibility. The status of the National Assembly must be honoured," Ms Urio said.

On poor legislator attendance, particularly during the debate session prior to approval of the tabled Bills, Ms Urio cautioned on the possibility of 'blind' endorsement of Bills which could result in regrets.

"Sometimes passing of a Bill requires voting. Ironically, legislators who were absent throughout the debate sessions became active during voting. This is dangerous," says the report.

The LHRC also underlined proper co-ordination of crucial national debates to allow full participation of stakeholders, rather than organizing debates for two different Bills at the same time.

"The Public Procurement Bill 2010 debate, for example was held at Karimjee Hall while that of the Miscellaneous Amendment Bill 2011 was held at the Speaker's office in Dar es Salaam at the same time, earlier this month," she noted.

The report also highlighted on what was referred to as frivolous time spending during which MPs spent too much time conveying congratulatory messages instead of dwelling on issues of national interest.

The presentation of Bills under certificate of urgency was pinpointed as yet another shortcoming. Three out of five bills tabled in the National Assembly were presented under certificate of urgency.

"The arrangement denied many stakeholders the right to share views on issues affecting their lives," part of the report reads.

The three Bills tabled under certificate of urgency are the Constitutional Review Bill, 2011, the Judiciary Administration Bill, 2011 and the Miscellaneous Amendment Bill, 2011.

The LHRC urged the Speaker Ms Anne Makinda to reinforce House regulations, without hesitating to take disciplinary measures against defiant MPs.

"Legislators should not be carried away by party ideologies lest they concentrated on trivial issues rather than matters of national importance," the report says.

On whether the large number of opposition legislators could have contributed to the pulsating parliamentary session, the Deputy Speaker, Mr Job Ndugai said majority of legislators were newcomers in the House and that itself was enough to cause a stir.

"Nearly 70 per cent of the legislators were newcomers. Besides, some of the legislators perhaps failed to differentiate between parliamentary sessions from election campaigns," Mr Ndugai observed.

The Deputy Speaker commended the LHRC for their constructive criticism saying in the course of time, legislators would adjust to the House environment while administrators would make sure discipline was observed to the letter.

"Those who violated parliamentary regulations and switched on microphones to utter derogative remarks have apologized to the Speaker and pledged obedience to established regulations," Mr Ndugai revealed.

As for certificate of urgency, Mr Ndugai said such Bills were tabled after assessment of the urgency depending on the circumstances .