Political analysts have joined the Speaker of National Assembly Catherine Gotani Hara and the Leader of the House in Parliament Richard Chimwendo Banda in condemning the continued absenteeism of Members of Parliament (MPs) from deliberations.

Just like the previous parliamentary meetings, the 2020-2021 mid-year budget review meeting which ended on Friday, was also marred by absenteeism.

Speaking to YFM, analyst Latimu Matenje, expressed sadness over the matter and suggested that one of the solutions to address the malpractice is to reinstate the recall provision to ensure that MPs are accountable to their constituents.

The section, which its underlying principle was to ensure that elected officials are accountable to their constituents, was repealed in 1995.

Matenje said: “Its saddening that the malpractice is continuing but unfortunately the Malawi parliament removed the recall provision thereby setting free the MPs so much that the people do not have any power to admonish the MPs and the only rebuke point is after five years and honestly that’s not democracy.”

He also said there should be by-laws put in place aimed at empowering the Speaker of National Assembly to act on such matters.

He further said the absconding of the deliberations sabotage the electorates because their voice is not held in the parliament and it just shows that the parliamentarians do not consults their constituencies hence, they have nothing to contribute in the August house.

2020-2021 Mid-Term Budget Review Meeting adjourned sine die on Friday after five weeks deliberations.