MPs bow to pressure, approve clause barring party hopping

Members of Parliament have bowed to pressure from their party leaders to approve a clause in the Election Laws (Amendment) Bill 2016 that bars them from party hopping.

In the Thursday afternoon session, the MPs shot down an attempt by Emurua Dikirr MP Johanna Ng’eno to have clause 9 of the Bill amended to allow aspirants who lose nomination slots in their party move to other parties or stand as independent candidates.

The move shows a change of heart on the part of MPs, most of who have been in support of changing the clause to allow them to party hop.

More to follow…