Thursday, 6 March 2014

Assembly moves to discourage heckling, personal comments


 The Constituent Assembly has agreed to set tough rules to curb heckling in the debating chamber.
The proposed standing orders also seek to discourage members from making personal remarks and statements that aim to ridicule and humiliate fellow members.
The decision aims at curbing the habits that have appeared to be steadily taking root in the assembly, and were announced by a member of the committee tasked with reviewing the draft standing orders, Mr Evod Mmanda.
Some members had earlier called for stern measures that would ensure civility during sessions of the assembly, which is in its third week.
“There is no freedom without limits. If we are not careful, there are some people who will abuse their freedom by unfairly targeting others,” Mr Mmanda said, adding: “We should discourage members from humiliating others. I’m for freedom, but freedom without limits is a recipe for chaos.”
Mr Mmanda said the committee had accepted proposals by members, and would incorporate them in regulations with a view to discourage heckling and personal remarks in the debating chamber. Members who called for tougher rules include Mr Freeman Mbowe, Ms Esther Bulaya, Mr Ezekiah Oluoch, Mr Ezekiah Wenje, Mr Moses Machali and interim chairman Pandu Ameir Kificho.
Ms Bulaya said there had to be limits to the freedom enjoyed by members to ensure it was not abused by delegates.

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