The proposed amendment to the Income Tax Act of 1981, which aims to increase the tax deductibility of retirement funds, has sparked considerable debate as sessions resumed yesterday in the National Council.

While some members of parliament supported changes to the bill, others have voiced concerns.

The National Council Chairperson, Lukas Muha, has expressed the need for the upper house and regional councils to engage communities to listen to their concerns.

This will help in the formulation of development agendas and legislative frameworks.

A heated debate ensued in the National Assembly when the Minister of Rural and Urban Development, Erastus Uutoni, firmly rejected the National Council's proposed amendments to the Electoral Amendment Bill. 

The National Council has completed its review of the four bills and six reports passed by the National Assembly. 

With regard to the Electoral Amendment Bill, significant changes are set to protect public servants in consideration for the National Assembly.

In recent discussions in the National Council concerning the Marriage Bill, there has been a notable push to make premarital counselling a compulsory requirement for all engaged couples.

The proposed Marriage Bill aims to regulate marriages and validate certain unions.

The National Council MP, Paulus Mbangu, raised significant queries during a debate on the National Council Standing Committee on Public Accounts and Economy's report on a benchmark visit to the Gauteng Provincial Legislature in South Africa last year.

National Council Swapo Party MP John Likando has expressed concerns about the inefficiency of the Electoral Commission of Namibia (ECN), particularly highlighting delays in the registration process.

Likando was speaking during the debate on the Electoral Amendment Bill.

Lawmakers in the National Council debated the new Marriage Bill, raising concerns about allowing an 18-year-old to marry, citing potential risks to their education and maturity levels.

The bill, aimed at regulating marriages and validating certain unions, ignited intense discussion from several fronts.

The National Council resumed business today.

The National Council, or House of Review, reviews bills passed or referred to by the lower house, the National Assembly, and addresses regional concerns.

The National Council hosted the Federation Council of the Federal Assembly of the Russian Federation to strengthen their long-standing relationship.