DEAR EDITOR, Thank you for allowing me a space to make a response to your front page article ‘It’s Parl, Not Gov’t’.
In the article, Kabui said to make it clear to the public any deferral or delay of national election the constitution will have to be amended and the powers to amend the constitution rest with the Parliament and not the government.
This is provided under section 59 and 61 of our Constitution which gives power in Parliament to make Laws and Alteration of Constitution.
Typically, one would give a big laugh when reading the whole article and its content. Actually, I was laughing when I was reading what the Special Secretary to Prime Minister (SSPM) and qualified Lawyer, Albert Kabui is trying to explain.
Mr Kabui, you should have known that who is the parliament. The Parliament is the DCGA government since they have the number. They can proceed with the proposed extension of parliament if they wish.
So, it is just a waste of time to bring the issue to Parliament. And it is so wrong to say that Parliament has the final say to defer or delay the National General Election, as the Constitution have to be amended and the power to amend the Constitution rests with Parliament, not the government.
Therefore, I think the proposal to extend the life of Parliament is just a waste of time, money, and efforts that was supposed to be focused in improving the health system of the country.
Jim Tino
Naha 3, Honiara
