Before proceeding with today’s article, three recent events that took place are worthy of commentary. Last Friday witnessed the debate in the National Assembly of a motion of no confidence in the Government that was tabled by the Opposition political party. At the conclusion of the debate, a vote was taken, which saw the approval of the motion by 33 votes in favour to 32 votes against.
In accordance with Article 106 (6) the Constitution, ‘[t]he Cabinet including the President shall resign if the Government is defeated by the vote of a majority of all the elected members of the National Assembly on a vote of confidence’. When this happens, Article 106 (7) provides for the following arrangements:
… the Government shall remain in office and shall hold an election within three months, or such longer period as the National Assembly shall by resolution supported by not less than two-thirds of the votes of all the elected members of the National Assembly determine, and shall resign after the President takes the oath of office following the election.