Independent members of parliament will no longer hold the balance of power during the election of a prime minister, when the Political Party Integrity Bill comes into force.
Attorney General Gabriel Suri told a public forum on the proposed bill Tuesday that the bill aims protect the integrity of parties to stop political party grass-hopping.Solomon Star quoted Mr Suri as saying independent votes will not be allowed to decide the prime minister in the absolute majority vote.
Mr Suri said the party with the highest number is given the privilege to form a government and that it can seek extra votes from independents.
Former MP for Renbel Joses Tuhanuku said the founding fathers included the independents in the constitution for good reasons and not to cause instability.
He said MPs today have abused the power due to foreign influence.
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