Maputo — The Mozambican parliament, the Assembly of the Republic, on Tuesday passed amendments to its own regulations (known as its "organic law"), which will allow it to recruit more staff.

In particular, the amendments create the posts of advisers to the chairperson and deputy chairpersons of the Assembly, and add computer technicians to the Assembly's staff table, thus allowing the parliament to employ full time computer experts of its own, rather than hiring them from outside.

The amendments add a fire brigade unit to the Assembly's security services, and separate the press office from the Assembly's public relations department. They also give official status to the health post, which has always existed, albeit on an ad-hoc basis, on the assembly's premises.

The document defines the rights and duties of the members of the Assembly's staff, stipulating that staff members must behave with impartiality in all their dealings with deputies and with members of the public.

Introducing this bill, the chairperson of the Assembly's Legal Affairs Commission, Ali Dauto, said it was necessary in order to improve the efficiency of the Assembly. The total cost of the bill, in additional staff wages, is put at 30.3 million meticais (about 1.1 million US dollars) a year.

The bill was uncontroversial and so was passed unanimously. The only doubt raised by the opposition was whether the post of Internal Auditor that the bill creates is necessary, given that the Assembly's accounts are already audited by the Administrative Tribunal.

Dauto replied that all state bodies should have internal control mechanisms, and this requirement flows from the computerised state financial management system (SISTAFE).

Assembly chairperson Eduardo Mulembue informed the plenary that, contrary to expectations, the opposition Renamo-Electoral Union coalition is still attempting to amend the country's electoral legislation (even though preparations for the next elections, due on 28 October, are in full swing).

On Monday, the Assembly rejected three Renamo election bills - on the composition of the National Elections Commission (CNE), on voter registration, and on procedures for municipal elections.

There were two other Renamo bills - on the procedures for parliamentary and presidential elections, and on the provincial assembly elections. It was imagined on Monday that Renamo would withdraw these.

Instead Renamo is pressing ahead, and they will be debated on Friday.

Pf/ (385)