By Binta Jaiteh
Honorable Fatoumatta ToumaNjie, National Assembly member from Banjul South has defended a private member Bill that will empower and secure seats for more women in parliament amid debate.
The Bill is entitled an Act to Amend the Constitution of the Republic of The Gambia (1997) to enlarge the composition of elected members of the National Assembly and also provide for the reservation of specific seats for women and persons with disabilities and for connected matters.
“Section (226) (2) (b) of the 1997 Constitution mandatorily requires that a Bill for an Act of the National Assembly amending or altering the Constitution shall not be passed by the National Assembly or presented to the President for assent unless it is supported on the Second and Third readings by the votes of not less than three-quarters of all the members of the National Assembly,” she told lawmakers.
According to her, the provision further reflected in Standing Order 16(15) which prevents the Assembly to proceed to a vote on a question in any instance where the Constitution requires a fixed majority, unless and until a number of Members equivalent to such fixed majority is present at the time for voting.
She said the Bill also imposes an obligation on political parties to promote gender equity in the selection of candidates to contest National Assembly elections as well as the respect for human rights.
“It is envisaged that if it is passed, the Bill will guarantee participation of women and persons with disabilities in the conduct of public affairs in The Gambia in line with the consultative process that led to the inclusion of these same proposals in the 2020 Draft Constitution,” she added.
The National Assembly members will continue to debate on the Bill today and to determine the next stage of the Constitution (Amendment) a minimum constitutional requirement of three-quarters attendance in chambers is needed to continue the debate.