Hon. Jerry Ekandjo, a prominent member of Parliament, is set to present a private member’s bill aimed at amending the Immigration Act. The proposed amendment seeks to provide a clear definition of ‘spouse’ that aligns with Namibia’s definition of marriage as a union between a man and a woman. By invoking Article 81 and 45 of the Namibian Constitution, the bill aims to challenge a recent decision by the Supreme Court of Namibia, asserting the representative nature of the National Assembly.
The bill also addresses incidental matters related to the proposed amendment. The objective of the bill is to bring the Immigration Act in line with Namibia’s official stance on marriage. Hon. Jerry Ekandjo believes that the current lack of a precise definition of ‘spouse’ within the Act leaves room for ambiguity and potential challenges to the country’s traditional definition of marriage. By invoking Article 81, which grants the National Assembly the power to introduce legislation, and Article 45, which emphasizes the representative nature of the Assembly, Hon. Jerry Ekandjo aims to counter the Supreme Court’s decision and emphasize the legislative body’s role in shaping the country’s legal framework. The proposed amendment seeks to clarify that ‘spouse’ within the Immigration Act refers to a legally recognized marriage between a man and a woman, as defined by Namibian law.
This amendment aligns with the country’s traditional understanding of marriage and seeks to ensure consistency between the Immigration Act and existing legislation. In addition to the definition of ‘spouse,’ the bill also addresses other incidental matters related to the proposed amendment. These additional provisions aim to ensure that the changes to the Immigration Act are implemented smoothly and effectively. Hon. Jerry Ekandjo’s initiative has sparked anticipation and debate among parliamentarians and the public.
The bill’s introduction marks an important step towards amending the Immigration Act to reflect Namibia’s definition of marriage and assert the authority of the National Assembly. It is worth noting that any amendment to the Immigration Act will undergo the necessary parliamentary procedures, including discussions and voting, before potentially becoming law.
Source : namibiadailynews
