By: Mohamed M. Sesay
In the ongoing debate of the 2022 Public Elections Act, the Deputy Speaker of Parliament Hon. Solomon Segepoh Thomas, has yesterday 14th of July 2022, explains the many democratic benefits of the 2022 Election Bill.
Honourable Thomas particularly focused on the protections of the Chief Electoral Commission from illegal removal from office, establishment of fix date for elections, establishment of nomination fees for candidates aspiring for elective position among others.
Hon. Thomas stated with vim and vigor that the debate for or against the proportional Representation system in the 2022 Public Elections Bill, is no longer within the purview of parliament. He made it categorically lucid that the authority to put the Proportional Representation in to action is exclusively within the power of the President as enshrined in the 1991 constitution.
He also hinted that if the country is to use the proportional representation in the 2023 elections, then such decision has to be determined by the president and not parliament anymore.
He continued by referencing clause 45 of the Public Elections bill regarding nomination fees which seeks to establish nomination fees for presidential, parliamentary and other candidates seeking elective positions.
He added that over the years, an individual will just take a unilateral decision to increase candidature fees in order to discourage smaller political parties from contesting elections.
The Deputy Speaker therefore, assured Members of Parliament and the general Public that the 2022 Public Elections Bill, now seeks to address those undemocratic barriers, so that smaller political parties will not be disenfranchised. “Let the public tell me whether this is undemocratic”, the Deputy Speaker emphasized.
Hon. Thomas maintained that there is nothing wrong with the 2022 Public Elections Bill other than the peddled misconceptions coupled with the preconceived phobia held by the All People’s Congress Party.
He stressed that 90% of the bill is exactly the same as the 2012 Public Elections Act. He added that the 2018 election was conducted under the 2012 Public Elections Act. He emphasized that what the Bill is aimed at addressing is to upgrade the 2012 Public Elections Act.
He continued that President is just heeding to the call of donor Partners recommending for the 2012 Public Election Act to be modified in order to meet democratic standards. He also expressed that the 2022 Public Elections Act is not about the PR System adding that, reference is only made to section 57 regarding the Proportional Representation.
“It is very unfortunate that we have allowed ourselves as lawmakers to be carried away by social media bloggers of which, most of them have not even read the document. This bill is to make removal of electoral commissioner very difficult and to fix a date for elections”, he explains.
The Deputy Speaker also used the platform to clear the malicious misconceptions harbored by the opposition Members of Parliament that the 2022 Public Elections Act does not in any way trying to create undue advantage for President Bio’s re-election. He reminded all and sundry that at the time when President Bio was presidential candidate, the All People’s Congress Party had all the political weapons. He added that with all the laws and political weapons APC had during the 2018 elections, President Bio still won the elections.
“So what is the fear for heaven’s sake? If you want to win an election goes and campaign. I am hugely disappointed and it is a shame that certain female Members of Parliament will allow their political ideas to cloud against the 30% Safe seat for women in the Bill”, he concluded.
