By Chinoyi Chipulu
Speaker of the National Assembly Nelly Mutti has given Petauke-Central member of Parliament Emmanuel Jay Jay Banda seven days within which to report to Parliament failure to which his seat will be declared vacant.
Mutti’s decision follows a parliamentary vote, during which 62 members of Parliament supported the ultimatum while 25 opposed.
The ultimatum comes after Banda’s continued absence from Parliament since June this year.
Banda has been absent since June 20, 2024 prompting Katolomba member of parliament Clement Andeleki to raise a point of order.
Andeleki said he was aware that Banda was arrested on June 20, 2024 for the offence of aggravated robbery and attempted murder and that in August, minister of Home Affairs and Internal Security Jack Mwiimbu informed the country that Banda had escaped from Chipata-Central Hospital where he was receiving medical attention.
Andeleki said since Banda’s disappearance, he had not attended sitting of the house, contrary to the standing orders of the house.
Meanwhile Mwiimbu, in his status report said Banda escaped through a window despite being under guard.
In her rulling, Mutti said Government chief whip Stanford Mulusa said Banda did not seek permission to be away from parliament sittings.
Mutti informed the house that a committee met to deliberate on Banda’s matter.
“The committee observed that the matter had the following recommendations: the first one is for the speaker to instruct the Attorney General to commence legal action in the Constitutional Court to have his seat declared vacant, two option to be given seven days of which to attend the business of the house failure to which the Speaker will evoke Article 78(8) of the constitution by informing ECZ of the occurrence of a vacant seat in Petauke Constituency” she said.
She also said to that they observed that Petauke had been unrepresented since June 2024, thus it was in the constituency’s best interest to have representation in the National Assembly among other recommendations.
Mutti said the committee resolved to recommend that Banda be given seven days within which to attend business of the house failure to which he would lose his seat.
“I have considered the recommendation of the committee and I note however, that there is legal requirements for the house to pass a recommendation of the committee,” she said.
“Banda you have been given seven days from November 19 to November 26, within which to attend business of the house should you fail to attend, I shall inform ECZ of the occurrence of a vacancy in Petauke constituency.”
