A good governance advocate has expressed worry over the tendency by some members of parliament to abscond from their constitutional duty saying such could lead into the country making illogical decisions.
This follows concerns that some members of parliament deliberately shun parliamentary proceedings without proper reasons.
In an interview with MIJ Online, Moses Mkandawire a good governance advocate described the conduct by the members of parliament as a violation of the trust of the people that voted them into power as well as lack of transparency among the said members due to their pocketing of salaries and allowances without working.
Mkandawire said: ‘’It is displeasing to note that some members of parliament chose to shun parliamentary proceedings, and to say the truth this is bad because it is an action that betrays the trust of the people who voted for these MPs to represent them in parliament.”
According to Mkandawire, the behavior by the said MPs also affects the decision-making process in the August house as some resolutions are made after a partial deliberation due to their absenteeism as well as absconding.
With parliament expected meet next month, Mkandawire has proposed the naming and shaming of members who do not show up at parliament.
“The office of the speaker tried to enforce some rules like not paying allowances to absent members but it seems that has not yielded required results. As civil society organizations we therefore need to work hand in hand with parliament in naming and shaming members who are absent and also those that do not contribute anything in that August House,” Mkandawire said.
Members of parliament have for some time been a subject of talk in the public sphere due to their absenteeism and absconding of parliamentary proceedings.
