Lylie Happiness
Windhoek, July 11 — Jerry Ekandjo, a member of Parliament, has introduced a private member’s bill in Parliament seeking to amend the Immigration Act to clearly define ‘spouse’ in alignment with Namibia’s definition of marriage. The bill has been approved.
The objective of the bill is to bring the Immigration Act in line with Namibia’s official stance on marriage. 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, 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 clarifies 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 defining ‘spouse,’ the bill also addresses other incidental matters related to the proposed amendment. These additional provisions aim to ensure that changes to the Immigration Act are implemented smoothly and effectively.
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 in line with Namibia’s official stance on marriage. – Namibia Daily News
