The Jonglei state assembly on Tuesday dismissed five members who defected to Riek Machar’s SPLM-In Opposition.
State minister of information Jody Jonglei, who is also an MP, told Radio Tamazuj Wednesday that the dismissed lawmakers were absent for more than three months of sittings without any permission.
He said the five include former deputy governor Hessian Mar Nyuot and others from the greater Akobo area of the Lou Nuer and Ayod county of the Gawaar Nuer.
Jonglei said the decision was in compliance with the state constitution of 2011.
“The law says an MP may lose his or her seat if absenting his or herself for more than three months from the sittings without permission, or he or she crossed to another political party,” he said.
Jonglei said those areas will elect new members to the assembly.