THE Malawi parliament has passed a controversial bill which strips lawmakers of their seats if they defect to other parties or declare themselves independent, a parliamentary representative said on Wednesday. Roderick Mlonya said the bill, passed on Tuesday, was met with strong protest from the opposition Alliance For Democracy (AFORD). The bill stipulates that when a deputy declares himself independent or crosses the floor to join another party, his seat shall be declared vacant. He said 39 legislators voted against it, while 131 from the ruling United Democratic Front (UDF) and the opposition Malawi Congress (MCP) party voted in favour of the bill to garner the required two-thirds majority. – AFP
Wednesday June 20, 2001