The National Legislative Assembly on Monday chaired by Speaker Manasseh Magok Rundial removed 23 members from the Augus House declaring them unseated, leaving their seats vacant for absenting themselves for twelve successive sittings without permission.
Speaker Magok read out the list of the unseated lawmakers comprising eight from Upper Nile State, five from Unity State, four from Jonglei, three from Central Equatoria, two from Western Equatoria and one Northern Bahr El Ghazal State.
He announced Dr Riek Machar Teny, Ruei Kuol Jel, Jock Jack Jok Yom, Bor Gatwech Kuany, Reath Mouch Tang, Bongout Amum Okech, Sophia Pal Gai, Alfred Lado Gore, Gatluak Riek Jack, Richard K. Mulla, Ramadan Hassan Laku and Agnes Nyoka unseated.
The Speaker also named Kosti Manibe Ngai, Madut Biar Yel, John Luk Jok, Nyalok James Thiong, Wieu Kun Kuiyang, Peter Charlman Chaiwac, Oyay Deng Ajak, Kuong Dak Wie, Gier Chuang Aluong, Michael Muot Dieu and Timothy Tot Chol as all unseated members.
During deliberations before the passage, MP Ann Lino Abyei expressed legal reservation on the unseating.
She argued that agenda documented Tuesday’s sitting number six in the first session of 2014, but not twelve successive sittings as stipulated in the assembly conduct of business regulations.
The House did not pay keen attention to the legal argument, given the fact that most of unseated parliamentarians are leading SPLM/A in Opposition.
It is not clear whether there are arrangements for bye elections or appointments for replacement as stipulated in 2011 Transitional Constitution of the Republic.