THE Constituent Assembly did not meet to discharge their purpose in their first meeting at Mendana Hotel yesterday, Monday.
Their purpose is to consider and debate the Draft Federal Constitution.
Chairman of the Constituent Assembly, Patterson Oti, who is also the Speaker of Parliament, concluded the sitting of the Assembly due to the following reasons.
The number of members of the Constituent Assembly currently present at this Meeting and the absence of the rules of procedures governing the proceedings of the Constituent Assembly.
Some of the preparatory work that needed to be undertaken to enable the Constituent Assembly to make informed deliberation of section 61 (7) of the Constitution (as amended) are yet to be completed.
As such, Chairman Oti said he was unable to proceed with the meeting as required by Section 71 (7) of the Constitution (as amended).
“With the above decision, I now recommend to the Prime Minister as the Minister responsible for the Office of the Prime Minister to take the necessary steps to have this matter reported to Parliament and also to take the necessary legislative measures to ensure the Constituent Assembly continues its mandate,” Chairman Oti said.
Therefore, members of the Constituent Assembly were given the opportunity to get updates and briefings in the informal session on the Draft Constitution.
The Prime Minister called the first Constituent Assembly meeting as required under section 61 (7) of the Constitution (as amended).
This Act was enacted by Parliament on the 19 December 2023.
Under section 61 (7) of the Constitution (as amended), the Prime Minister shall call on the Constituent Assembly to sit on a date before 31 December 2024 for the purpose of:
Considering, debating and, as the Constituent Assembly considers advisable, amending the Draft Constitution; and
Taking part in the first vote to approve, or reject, the Draft Constitution, with or without amendments.
By EDDIE OSIFELO
Solomon Star, Honiara
