By Josephine W. Lagawo
232news
Leader of Opposition Hon Chernor Bah moved a motion on December 21last year so that members of parliament should null and void the Public (Elections) Petitions Act 2022 which was seconded by Dr. Mack Mahmud Kalokoh.
While laying his premise at the well of Parliament yesterday Tuesday, January 24, Hon Bah told the Speaker Dr. Abass Chernor Bundu that the statutory instrument was laid at the Well of Parliament on December 21st 2022 and they went for recess on December 22nd 2022 so the object of the memorandum is within 21 days.
Hon Bah pointed out that Section 177 is in tandem with Standing Order 12 and that the Public (Elections) Petition Rules 2022 which was tabled is against the ECOWAS protocol and that it should be considered null and void.
The seconder of the motion, Hon Dr. Mack Mahmoud Kalokoh stated that he wants to join the mover of the motion because the ECOWAS protocol Article 2 Section 2 revised in 2006 states that there shall be no substantial modification to elections laws six months to elections.
Acting Leader of Government Business, Hon Bashiru Silikie said the leader of the opposition has said they need to tender the document because they did not have it.
Deputy Speaker Hon Segepoh Solomon Thomas said the rule that is in parliament is not against ECOWAS protocol and that there is no substantial rule to be made.
“If you take a look at the elections petition laws, it does not touch on electoral laws of this country this has to do with procedural laws,” Hon Thomas said.
He urged the Speaker for the petition to be put on votes, so that the Members of Parliament will vote.
The Leader of Opposition Hon Chernor Bah stated that the view of the Deputy Speaker does not apply to Presidential elections and elections offences under the public elections act 2022 which shall be tried in accordance with the Criminal Procedure Act 1965, so he urged the house to unanimously null and void the instruments for their democracy to move forward.
The Speaker put the issue to vote and those who are in favor to null and void the instrument, APC got 22 vote while those who are against SLPP got 42, NGC 4 Members were absent and while C4C 3 MPs walked out their leader Hon Emerson Lamina voted against.
