The Deoxyribonucleic Acid (DNA) Identification Bill went down to the wire as parliamentarians voted for an amendment to Section 3(2) of the Act.

However, the government with a majority of only one (48 to 47) voted it through.

Critics have described the legislation as a disaster for legal and human rights.

Opposition political parties, civil society and the Bar Council have slammed the bill for placing excessive powers in the hands of the police and the home minister.

[More to follow]