The 20th Amendment to the Constitution is will be presented to Parliament tomorrow. Thereafter any citizen will have the opportunity to file a petition against it within 7 days.
The purpose is to challenge constitutionality before the Supreme Court. If not challenged, the 20th Amendment could be taken up for a second reading debate in Parliament seven days later. However, if the Twentieth Amendment is challenged within the relevant period, the Supreme Court must give its decision within 21 days from the date of filing the petition. The Parliamentary Secretariat states that Parliament has no right to take any action on the Bill during the relevant period. If the Supreme Court gives its decision on an earlier date within 21 days, it can then be taken up for a second reading debate.
A vote will be taken at the end of the second reading debate. The Twentieth Amendment Bill must be passed by a 2/3 majority. Thereafter, all the provisions of the Bill will be considered by each Committee and any amendment will be proposed. Thereafter a vote will be taken at the end of the third reading debate. It too should have a two-thirds majority in Parliament. It is only when the Speaker finally signs the bill that it becomes law.