This came after the Pro-FGM/C Bill was brought for consideration in which deputies voted down all clauses put forward for amendment, rendering the bill ineffective to move to the final reading stage.
Giving the verdict on the bill, Hon Speaker Fabakary Tombong Jatta, stated: “I rule that the Women (Amendment) Bill, 2024, having gone through the Consideration Stage with all the clauses voted down, is hereby deemed rejected.”
“This ruling is appropriate as the Assembly cannot be engaged in such a futile exercise, as to allow the bill to proceed to Third Reading without its clauses,” he added.
“Order 72(20) of the Standing Orders requires that When a bill has been amended at consideration stage, the whole text of the bill together with a revised Memorandum of Objects and Reasons, as amended shall, if practicable, be printed, but if this is not practicable, the text of every clause or schedule amended and every new clause or new schedule added shall be so printed, published and circulated to Members in advance of final stage.”
“This is practically impossible as the bill is now without clauses, which is fundamental for it to be read the third time and passed.
In accordance with Order 8(1) of the Standing Orders, I so rule that the Bill is rejected, and the legislative process exhausted.”
He explained that Order 72(19) of the Standing Orders provides that “at the completion of the consideration stage, the bill shall stand referred to the Assembly Business Committee for scheduling of third reading.”
However, he continued that “this bill has been considered at Committee of the Whole Assembly without its clauses standing part of it.”
He further stated that “under this circumstance, where the Assembly has never witnessed a scenario of an entire bill navigated at Consideration Stage, I would invoke Order 8(1) of the Standing Orders which states that, “In all cases where matters are not expressly provided for by these Standing Orders, any questions on procedure or order shall be decided by the Speaker.”
