By Loretta B Manele
The committee has recommended 150 members for the Constituent Assembly so that it covers those in the provinces and all our people.
John Maneniaru, member of parliament for West Are’Are constituency and Bills and Legislation Committee (BLC) chairman stressed this during the debate of the Constitution Amendment of the Constituent Assembly Sitting Bill 2024 in parliament on Tuesday, 17th this week.
He said the original proposal by the constitutional congress and eminent persons of 150 assembly members to be reinstated is to ensure greater inclusivity and broader representation.
Maneniaru added that it emphasizes that resources constraint should not outweigh the need for a comprehensive and representative approach to the constitutional reform.
“The maturity of the constant assembly, among whom would be elected as well as appointed representatives, including youth, women, and minority groups”
Maneniaru voiced that from these 150 members, 50 of them should be women and youths.
“At the moment, if you look at it, we only have 3 female parliamentarians out of 50 MPs so already the number is already very small”
Maneniaru said it is not so much centred around gender equality but it is rather a social responsibility to ensure that the participation of our country; a democratic country can be well represented of women, the youth and men.
