Speaker Mutti rules Gov’t out of order for commenting on Bill 7

By GIDEON NYENDWA

CABINET ministers and Members of Parliament who are commenting and issuing statements about Bill 7, which has heightened tension after its controversial return in Parliament are out of order, Speaker of the National Assembly Nelly Mutti has said
Speaker Mutti has ruled that cabinet ministers and Members of Parliament commenting publicly on Constitution Amendment Bill No. 7 were in breach of parliamentary rules, following a point of order raised in the House yesterday.

Bangweulu Member of Parliament Anthony Kasandwe raised the point of order, citing a “growing tendency among ministers to comment on Bill 7,” which he said violates Standing Orders.
“Madam Speaker, there is a growing tendency among ministers to comment on Bill 7. I am saying to you that they are publicly commenting on Bill 7,” Mr Kasandwe said.
He argued that such conduct contravenes Standing Order No. 29, which prevents ministers or public officers from consulting, advising, or sensitising the public on a Bill once it has been introduced in Parliament.
Reading the provision to the House, Mr Kasandwe said:

“When a Bill has been introduced in the House, a minister or public officer shall not consult, brief or sensitise the public on the Bill except before the committee to which the Bill is referred for scrutiny, until the report of the committee on the Bill is tabled.”

In her ruling, Speaker Mutti agreed with the interpretation and confirmed the prohibition.
“I can hear everything that you are saying,” she said. “A minister or public officer shall not consult, brief or sensitise the public on the Bill until the report of the committee is tabled.”
She reiterated that the restriction applies to all constitutional Bills under scrutiny and warned that continued commentary by ministers was out of order.