By Ramatoulie Jawo
The Gambia National Assembly, on Tuesday, September 12, 2023, rejected the Judicial Officers Remuneration and Other Entitlements Bill 2023, which had been presented by Hon. Dawda A. Jallow, the Attorney General and Minister of Justice.
Following a lengthy debate on the bill’s merits and principles during the second reading, it failed to advance to the third reading stage within the National Assembly. The majority of National Assembly Members opposed its progression to the third reading.
The bill had been introduced to the lawmakers by the Attorney General and Minister of Justice on Monday, September 4, 2023. Many members pointed out that the bill was reminiscent of the Draft Constitution, which had been rejected by Parliament in 2020.
While some members advocated for the bill to be referred to the National Assembly Business Committee for thorough scrutiny, others called for the Attorney General to reintroduce the Draft Constitution. After an intense debate, the Speaker conducted a vote to determine whether the bill should proceed to the third reading stage, but it was voted down by the majority of National Assembly members.
During the voting process, 21 National Assembly Members opposed the idea of referring the bill to the committee stage, while 18 National Assembly Members supported its referral to the committee stage.