Bar Council seeks to submit comments on anti-defection amendment

Bar Council has appealed to the Parliament to allow them the opportunity to comment on the amendment proposed on MPs losing their seats upon changing parties, defecting or being dismissed before it is passed.

A statement released by the Bar Council states that general members and others from the Bar Council have concerns regarding the constitutional amendment proposed to parliament yesterday.

They said that the council's Executive Committee believes it is important to present to parliament the advise and opinions of its members, and as such appeals for the opportunity to do so.

Bar Council maintains that any constitutional amendments must be brought with the inclusion of the public, and through widely held deliberations and in consideration of public opinion. They called on the parliament to make arrangements to allow an appropriate window within which comments and opinions can be submitted.

Parliament has completed the debate on this amendment and now sent it for review to the Committee of the Whole House. A roll call vote was then taken, with 75 members voting in favour of passing it, and 13 members voting against.

Vote on the amendment will be taken in parliament later this afternoon.

Committee passes Anti-Defection bill by roll call vote

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