The Southern African Centre for Constructive Resolution of Disputes (SACCORD) has urged Members of Parliament (MPs) not to abandon their constituencies once voted into office.
SACCORD Information Officer Michelo Mwango says it was unfortunate that some MPs forget or rarely visit their constituencies.
Ms. Mwango told ZANIS in an interview in Lusaka today, that MPs need to visit their constituencies in order to know how the people in that constituency are living.
The SACCORD Information Officer said some MPs make fake promises that they would be visiting their constituencies but once elected they are rarely seen in their constituencies.
She said making fake promises was betraying the electorate adding that people should ensure that they vote wisely.
She has called upon MPs to always remember that they are there to save the people and not for their personal gain.
ZANIS
What should be advocated for is an individual to reside in the constituency as one of the qualifications to stand as an MP in the constituency.
The present scenario of having Lusaka based people standing for elections as MPs in other provinces is very unproductive as these people would not be representing the people of those constituencies. Otherwise a local MP will always be in the constituency and attend to the needs of the area without being reminded. A local MP will be affected my bad roads, dry water taps, power blackouts, etc. unlike a person resident somewhere else.
The NCC should look at this issue and amend appropriately as the Lusaka based rich people, who are able to bribe their way in rural areas have taken advantage of the weak system.