By Chinoyi Chipulu
Speaker of the National Assembly Nelly Mutti has declined to declare vacant the seats of three PF Members of Parliament who campaigned for the UPND in the Petauke-Central parliamentary by-election as this is not within her jurisdiction.
Msanzala MP Elias Daka, Chipangali MP Andrew Lubusha and Chadiza lawmaker Jonathan Daka supported UPND candidate in the Petauke by-elections.
Mutti’s ruling followed a point of order raised by Nkana member of parliament Binwell Mpundu in which he requested the Speaker to declare Msanzala, Chipangali and Chadiza seats vacant, for addressing officials of the UPND during the Petauke central by-elections.
Mpundu said this was a party that did not sponsor their candidate to the National Assembly.
He said he had evidence of the MP’s addressing officials of the UPND which he would lay on the table of the house.
Mpundu alleged that the conduct of the said MPs was against the constitution, and requested the Speaker to declare their seats vacant.
In her ruling, Mutti said the request to declare the seats vacant did not fall within her jurisdiction.
“By declaring the seats vacant, I will be usurping the powers of the Judiciary as guided by the Constitutional Court,” she said.
Mutti said Mpundu’s point of order was therefore, inadmissable as it related to the general interpretation of a written law.
“In conclusion, I wish to take this opportunity to advise honourable members and reiterate that it is important for you to familiarise yourselves with the National Assembly standing orders as they regulate and govern parliamentary business,” said Mutti.
