SPEAKER MUST BE FAIR, IMPARTIAL -CHIMUNTHU BANDA

Former Speaker of Malawi National Assembly Henry Chimunthu Banda has given the newly sworn-in Member of Parliament tips on who to be elected as Speaker of Parliament.

Banda said this in an interview with one of the local daily Papers in the country.

In his speech, Banda said a Speaker must be fair and impartial to sustain the trust of members on both sides of the house.

“In fact, hallmark of speakership is impartiality in the execution of official duties. He or she must allow MPs to freely air out their differences of opinions without let or hindrances of importantly, a proper balance has to be found between the majority groups while the minority may have their say, the majority have their will. The voice of the minority must be heard and protected as the majority carries the day”, said Chimunthu Banda.

He further said the Speaker must be calm and cool.

Meanwhile the newly MPs are expected to start their deliberations next Tuesday where  they are expected to elect new speaker and also Minister of Finance will table the 2014-15 National budget.