Things like rule of law, democracy and you know, competence and facts; those things are not partisan, but they also don’t happen automatically. There has to be citizens who insist on it and participate to make sure it happens. Democracy is a garden that has to be tended.
President Barack Obama
This is our ninth article on the above subject in which we continue to track developments since the 21 December 2018 vote of no confidence in the Govern-ment. By Articles 106(6) and 106(7) of the Constitution, the President and the Cabinet are required to resign, and elections held within three months from that date. However, the validity of the vote is being challenged on two grounds: 33 Members of Parliament (MPs) out of 65 does not constitute a majority of MPs; and the vote of one MP was invalid by virtue of the person holding dual citizenship. It has been reported that at least five other MPs hold dual citizenship and participated in the no confidence vote. On 31 January 2019, the Chief Justice upheld the ruling of the Speaker that the vote of no confidence was validly carried. The matter is currently before the Court of Appeal.
Today marks the 80th day since the event of 21 December 2018, and with ten days to go before the deadline for holding elections expires, citizens are at a loss to learn when such elections will take place.
