By Nasratu Kargbo
The Bill entitled the “Political Parties Regulation Commission Act, 2022” now before Parliament has proposed that an association can only register as a Political Party when they have 800 members across the country.
The Parliamentary Leader of the National Grand Coalition (NGC) party, Dr. Kandeh Kolleh Yumkella supported the clause, stating that a group of people less than 50 may want to come together and form a party just to benefit from government subventions.
Addressing the House on 9th August 2022, Yumkella heaped praises on that aspect of the bill that states that a political party should have at least 50 members per district.
Explaining the reason for his support, the MP said that the bill proposes that political parties be given subventions; but noted that people can come together and register as political party, just to access subvention from the government.
He said they may establish a party and go to sleep, and only becoming active when the election draws near, in order to get money.
“I really like this, if you are a serious political party, you want to register, start early and go round and prove to us that you have eight hundred members,” said Yumkella.
He reiterated that the clause will prevent such anomalies from occurring.
On the contrary, Member of Parliament from Constituency 048 Aaron Koroma frowned at the clause on the basis that it will discourage smaller parties.
He explained that the clause demands that prospective political parties should at least have a total of 800 members before approaching the PPRC for registration.
According to the MP, the bill states that the truth of evidence of membership should be at least 50 members in each electoral district. He multiplied the 50 members by the sixteen districts which he said will give a figure of 800 members. Koroma added that having the Members sum up to 800 will discourage smaller political parties.
The MP made some examples to the bigger political parties, stating that they might have started with a smaller number.
“This means even before you approach PPRC to register, you must have gotten 800 members. This itself is restrictive and closing the space for political inclusion”, Koroma pointed out. He also questioned the clause, asking how can there be membership when there has been no registration.
He said as a member of the All People’s Congress (APC) party, he is not bordered, but was thinking about the smaller parties who may want to participate in the process and promote political inclusion.
He also condemned another clause that requires political parties to get 2% of votes; he stated that the clause will see many smaller political parties dissolved.
“If we are saying that their existence should be dependent on them attaining 2% that in itself is closing the political space and I think this clause should be expunged,” said Koroma.
He noted that the essence of some of those smaller parties is to shape the minds and ideas of the citizens, and that even though there are some political parties that do not have representatives in parliament or in councils, yet they are contributing immensely to the political discussion.
Another MP representing Constituency 046, Daniel Koroma emphasized that the clause seeks to close the space for political inclusion. He stated that there should be a proper clarification of what is 2% and that except he was convinced, he does not believe that such should be a requirement.
Copyright © 2022 Politico Online (10/08/22)
