By Twink Jones Gadama
The Malawian Parliament resumed its deliberations this morning with a low attendance of only 43 out of 193 members. The government side had 20 members present, while the opposition benches had 22.
Despite the low attendance, several cabinet ministers were present, including Richard Chimwendo Banda, Minister of Local Government and Leader of the House; Khumbize Kandodo Chiponda, Minister of Health; Dausi Gumba, Minister of Lands; Ken Zikhale Ng’oma, Minister of Homeland Security; Sosten Gwengwe, Minister of Trade; and Agnes NyaLonje, Minister of Labour.
The low attendance of MPs in the house has been a concern during the current seating. In response, Member of Parliament for Nkhata-Bay Central, Symon Vuwa Kaunda, has moved a motion for a roll call, which is currently underway.
The motion for a roll call aims to account for the attendance of all MPs and ensure that those present are indeed the ones voting on important matters. This move is seen as a step towards addressing the issue of absenteeism in the house.
The low attendance of MPs has raised concerns about the effectiveness of the legislative body in performing its duties. With only 43 members present, key decisions may be made without the input of the majority of MPs, which could have far-reaching consequences for the country.
The opposition has criticized the government for not taking the issue of absenteeism seriously, accusing them of not prioritizing the business of the house. On the other hand, the government has blamed the opposition for not cooperating and for being absent from important debates.
As the motion for a roll call continues, it remains to be seen how the situation will unfold. Will the attendance of MPs improve, or will the issue of absenteeism continue to plague the house? Only time will tell.
In the meantime, the Malawian people expect their elected representatives to take their responsibilities seriously and attend parliament sessions regularly. The country needs effective leadership and representation to address the numerous challenges it faces.
The parliament’s deliberations will continue throughout the day, with key issues on the agenda, including the debate on the national budget. The outcome of the roll call motion and the subsequent attendance of MPs will be crucial in determining the effectiveness of the parliament’s sessions.
