The Centre for Policy Dialogue (CFPD) has described as illegal the decision by the Patriotic Front (PF) party leadership to appoint an acting Member of Parliament (MP) for Matero Constituency when the incumbent was still holding on to the some position.
Centre Executive Director Neo Simutanyi says it is not constitutionally right for a political party to appoint an acting MP for a constituency when a vacancy had not been created.
In an interview in Lusaka today, Dr. Simutanyi explained that legal provisions only support such a move when there is a vacancy which demands for a person to take care of the affairs in the constituency.
Dr, Simutanyi advised that there is need for the opposition PF to follow laid down procedures.
He noted that what PF would have done is to wait for parliament to make a final decision of declaring the seat vacant or the court’s ruling on the matter.
He noted that by using these channels PF and the electorates will have the right to vote for the person they feel should continue to represent them.
He charged that the current move taken by the PF is likely to confuse people in Matero constituency as they will not know who their right representative is.
Last week PF leader Michael Sata appointed Chimwemwe constituency MP Willie Nsanda as acting MP for Matero and will be assisted by Chazanga MP Jean Kapata and Munali’s Mumbi Phiri.
Meanwhile, Dr. Simutanyi has expressed concern at Movement Multi Party Democracy, MMD’s, announcement to adopt President Rupiah Banda as its preferred candidate for 2011 presidential elections.
Dr. Simutanyi, who is also a political analyst, said it is too early for the ruling party to adopt President Banda, adding that this would divert his attention from working to develop the country to partisan politics.
He pointed out that early announcement of presidential candidates for 2011, especially from the ruling party, is also likely to cause political tension by attracting criticism from opposition parties.
He added that it was important for the MMD to consider following the right process of choosing a preferred candidate to stand on its ticket.
He further disclosed that this would have an undue influence on those that had intentions of standing on the same position hence causing political differences within the party.
ZANIS
PF is being unfairly treated.Looking at things Shaka and Chibombamilimo were chased but why is the speaker not accepting The Cobra view tofire that white muzungu in Matero. If Dr. watever is saying its not fine then let him advice the speaker to declare that seat vacant and see how we shall win even with a new comer to prove our Power. Hey hey Numbla 1
Declare the seat then i tell ba king cobra ati mbikenipo then u will see wat we mean wen we say PF ya Mwela
Dr Simutani you are playing double standard.. Why dont you first advise the speaker to declare the label MP seats vacant? You betrayed the trust and the respect i personally had for you last october. I just wonder how much RB and the group gave you reduce yourself to that level.
I may not be a PF supporter but in this instance,i believe that honourable Amusaa Mwanamwambwa is being very Partisan.That seat must be declared vacant and let everyone including Sichone recontest it if she knows that she rightly represents the people of ‘Matero District’.
I have no clue about the law regarding Acting MP,hearing this the first time.
On He charged that the current move taken by the PF is likely to confuse people in Matero constituency as they will not know who their right representative is, this is illegal by the Undereducate Sata and GRZ through the police must take action so that in future such uselessness will not ensue.
___
Prevention is better than cure.
Acting MP,this is zambia always setting precidents.iyi yena ya new it’s a record mu world.sata in action
“Dr. Simutanyi, who is also a political analyst, said it is too early for the ruling party to adopt President Banda, adding that this would divert his attention from working to develop the country to partisan politics.”
‘Dr Who?’ Political analyst? Well, well! It is never too early to make a decision for an ambition! The earlier you decide, the better, but at the end of the day, if the President is distracted, his performance will suffer and the voters will have a good reason to boot him out! The MMD convention will select its candidate. Endorsement at this stage is not selection.
#5 is r.o.t.t.e.n. with his inistence on Sata beingunder educated. What can he say about Zuma. I am sick and tired. I wonder what level of education he has reached himself. I am sure he justs sweeps and washes utensils at Taco bel joints. Please grow up
What do you expect from Michael Chilufya? For all we know he may also have an acting first lady when he becomes president when the wife goes away… for too long!
Saint #6 if you are ignorant just ask for an explanation. You re no different from #5
Naiwe Neo, this is obvious. Sata is playing political psychological games. He wants to draw out Amusaa Mwanawambwa.
Uncle Choncho
Raw nerve hey!
PABWATO IS IN ACTION. COME 2011 TULEYABUKA. WE ARE SENDING SHOCK WAVES ALL OVER. TWASENE BASA. HERE WE COME.
CHI UNCLE CHONCHO
Mwalinganafye na SATA teti tudabwe.
Neo Simutanyi has no PhD and should should stop masquerading as Dr. Simutanyi. He failed to complete his PhD in the UK and was was severely reprimanded by the UNZA Administration to stop using the title of Dr. This is how left UNZA to continue working for his own NGO.
#15 Max
Funny that you should say that. Some people got on a plane to UK or wherever, had a jolly good time, got a few certificates of attendances at various one day courses, three years later, returned to Zambia claiming to have ‘post graduate qualifications.’ UNZA is desperate for lecturers so anyone who has been ‘abroad’ could do. Health and education ministries have no means of checking qualifications. Remember MacSud???
this chap satana shud be cited for contempt of court…he is trying to undermine the law!pliz xplain to him what the law stipulates..
Blame the Speaker. He is pure MMD. He did it against FDD and Hertage PArty. Now he is trouble over what to over Shakas and Chibombamilimo. However PF should just be patient until the right time comes. Any way this piece of paper has been torn apart. Remember LPM nominated Nevours as MP when this same paper had disqualified Nevours