Rumphi East Member of Parliament Kamlepo Kalua has denied voting against the much awaited 50+1 electoral reform bill in the National Assembly, saying the bill is yet to be brought before the August House.
On Wednesday afternoon, Member of Parliament for Nkhata Bay West, Chrispine Mphande, moved motion in the house seeking to ammend the Electoral Commission Act to, among others, give powers to the Public Appointments Committee (Pac) on the appointment of Malawi Electoral Commission (Mec) top officials.
The motion received strong opposition from MPs from the ruling Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) supported by Independent lawmakers namely Billy Kaunda, Kamlepo Kalua, Mathews Ngwale of Chiradzulu West.
The motion was adopted after the house went into division where 91 legislators voted ‘yes’, 84 MPs voted ‘no’ with 15 Absentees.
This forced some concerned Malawians to take the issue to social media condemning the MPs who voted against the bills and some even went further by naming the said MPs.
But Kamlepo Kalua distanced himself from the accusations, saying he is in favour of the 50+1 electoral bill.
“Akuti Kamlepo wavota against 50 + 1. Foolish statements!! Foolish propaganda. LIES! LIES! No one has voted on that bill including your Masters and political idols. Instead of making noise on social media muzimvera Live parliament sessions. I made a statement in support of 50+ 1 yesterday. That vote was whether we should continue deliberations or adjourn to the next day. Parliament was simply voting on a MOTION to introduce a Private Menbers Bill. Even your masters have not voted on 50 + 1. Ask them. Instead of focusing on Kamlepo, go to the MP’s you voted for alipo almost 192 and convince them to vote for the bill because it needs two thirds Majority which is almost 128 MPs/ Votes to pass in Parliament. I have 1 vote ya Rumphi East. Legal mandate to speak on behalf of Rumphi East alone not all constituencies .
“This 50+1 bill is very important to our country’s democracy and it needs to be debated with sober minds and not putting unnecessary pressures and attacking MPs whose role is to debate and amend laws that have been agreed by a majority . Those MPs represent their respective constituents and they are accountable to them,” wrote Kalua.
He added: “Fanatism and Partisan emotions should not erode your logic. This is a Democracy, expect dissenting views. I am an independent MP and will not be forced to support any political party for Social media or Facebook likes. I have sacrificed much more for Malawi since 1992 than your political idols combined . Those who said Kamlepo will not win in 2019 went into hiding in May last year after I had won, they are now out again saying I will not make it in 2024. Unless you are God, your wishes will come true otherwise let’s meet at the constituency in 2024 and challenge me on the ballot.
“Don’t say I dint warn you. Think with your brains and not Social media. You NEED 128 Votes from 128 MPS to have a two thirds Majority to pass that Bill. I have 1 Vote.”
