The Constitution (Amendment) (Constituent Assembly Sitting) Bill 2024 has failed to secure the required support in Parliament yesterday after Prime Minister Jeremiah Manele concluded the debate on its second reading.
During the vote, Speaker Hon. Patteson Oti reminded Parliament that, as per Section 61 of the Constitution, the amendment required the support of three-quarters of all the Members of Parliament (MPs) to be carried through.
Following the call for division, Clerk to Parliament Jefferson Hallu conducted a roll-call vote, calling MPs’ names in alphabetical order. The results of the headcount voting showed that 31 MPs voted in support, 2 MPs wished to abstain, 3 MPs opposed the Bill, and 14 MPs were absent. This resulted in a total of only 31 MPs voting in favour, which falls short of the 38 votes required for the Bill to pass.
As the Bill did not meet the threshold of support, it has been defeated at the second reading stage. However, the government can reintroduce the Bill in the next parliamentary session, following recommendations from the Bill and Legislation Committee (BLC), and addressing concerns raised during the debate.
It is important to note that a bill that fails to pass in Parliament, such as this one, is not repealed. A bill is only repealed if it has already been passed into law and later requires undoing. In this case, as the Bill did not progress beyond the second reading, it has not become law and does not require repeal.
Looking ahead, the Bill may be reconsidered and reintroduced next year, possibly with revisions in response to the concerns expressed during the debate and the committee’s recommendations.
The Bill seeks to amend the Constitution to extend the timeline for the sitting of the Constituent Assembly. The proposed amendment seeks to revise the current deadline from 31 December 2024 to 31 December 2026, ensuring adequate time for the necessary preparatory processes leading up to the Assembly’s convening.
Additionally, the Bill proposes an expansion of the Constituent Assembly’s membership from 80 to 100 including representatives from key institutions such as the Bar Association and the National Youth Congress. It also provides for the inclusion of members with relevant expertise and experience. These members may include current and former public officials, individuals with in-depth knowledge of government operations, and former state office holders. Their contributions will enrich the deliberative process by bringing diverse perspectives and valuable
insights to the Assembly and its thematic committees.
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-NPO media
