The problem of low turnout in Parliament is likely to continue, with some lawmakers claiming that the Speaker cannot punish legislators in any way for missing deliberations in the House.
The development comes after the just-ended meeting of Parliament was marred by lawmakers’ absenteeism.
According to one parliamentarian who spoke on condition of anonymity, it is difficult for the Speaker to effect the punishment as culprits are from both sides of the House.
“We have members from both sides of the House missing deliberations from time to time. It is not like there is only one side which misses deliberations while the other is represented in full.
You may also wish to know that almost each and every member has missed deliberations in the House for one reason or another.
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“So, the question you should be asking yourself is whether it is practical and prudent to punish the majority. The Speaker may, indeed, decide to effect the punishment but bear in mind the fact that it is the same members who have the power to impeach the Speaker. So, parliamentarians are capable of hitting back because the punishment would affect all of them,” he said.
The legislator then boasted that, collectively, members have the power to stop anything that does not appear to be in their favour.
“We miss deliberations in the House due to various reasons. Some of us travel to our constituencies; some go for medical attention while others have urgent matters to attend to. So, it is normal for us to miss deliberations in the House. It is like at an office where you cannot be there all the time. The Speaker knows all this and cannot punish us,” he said.
Thyolo Central parliamentarian Ben Phiri said it is not right to insinuate that members stay away from the House without valid reasons.
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“There are times when some come late into the House for various reasons. So, we cannot say these should be viewed as absentees.
Even at the time of rollcall, you discover that many members are just outside the entrance waiting to go into the chamber,” Phiri said during Times Radio’s phone-in programme, Times Talk.
Absenteeism of members of Parliament from the house without valid reasons has been a big problem for many years, with no end in sight.
Ironically, several Cabinet ministers and their deputies have also not been consistent in their attendance, forcing Leader of the House Richard Chimwendo Banda to answer questions on their behalf in the spirit of collective responsibility.
The parliamentarians can be rest assured that their absenteeism and late coming will not earn them any punishment as Second Deputy Speaker Aisha Adams leapt to their defence in the previous meeting of Parliament.
This followed concerns from Rumphi Central legislator Chidumba Mkandawire that the House had less than 50 members on July 28 this year.
“We know that some of the honourable members are not feeling well. In addition to that, you know that we have a problem of fuel in the country and members are queuing with everyone else.
But we know that there are some few members who are always absent,” Adams told the July 29 edition of Malawi News without stating the measures put in place to stop the absenteeism and late coming.
On July 27 this year, First Deputy Speaker Madalitso Kazombo warned of serious consequences on members who continued to miss House deliberations, describing their conduct as shameful.
Youth and Society Executive Director Charles Kajoloweka said it is unfortunate that some legislators are taking the electorate for granted.
“This is abdication of their constitutional obligations. They are not doing Malawians any favours. The oversight, representation and legislative mandate is placed on them by the Constitution and they are under obligation to uphold the same.
“We expect Parliament’s leadership to hold such errant MPs accountable to protect the public interest and uphold the Constitution. Malawians can’t afford such an undisciplined legislature,” Kajoloweka said.
Human Rights Defenders Coalition Executive Director Gift Trapence said absent parliamentarians should be reimbursing allowances they pocket.
“They should not be getting paid for the work that they have not done. The allowances they receive are not for free. These are for attending deliberations in the House and nothing else.
“This behaviour is an attack on our democracy. The parliamentarians have a duty to use taxpayers’ money prudently in representing the interests of their constituents. They need to be accountable,” Trapence said.
Speaker Catherine Gotani Hara has also expressed concern over the issue of members’ absenteeism and lateness on several occasions, threatening to take action in a bid to stop the malpractice.
However, there has not been any report of measures taken to ensure that legislators attend meetings.
