Opposition MMD has lost recognition as leader of the opposition in Parliament following dwindling numbers of members in the House resulting from losses the party has suffered in recent by-elections.
The revocation of MMD’s recognition was announced yesterday by Speaker of the National Assembly, Patrick Matibini.
Currently none of the opposition parties had the required 53 members to satisfy the quorum as provided for under Article 84 (4) of the Republican Constitution.
Dr Matibini had as at October 19, 2011 recognised the MMD as the Official Opposition, a decision that he had since revoked.
“Hon Members, as matters stand at the moment, none of the opposition political parties in the House have the required requisite 53 Members to satisfy the quorum as provided for under Article 84 (4) of the Constitution. In this vein, the decision I made to recognise the MMD as Official Opposition in the House is hereby revoked,” Dr Matibini said in his ruling.
The ruling follows a point of order raised on June 19, this year by Patriotic Front’s Obvius Chisala, Member of Parliament (MP) for Chilubi, who wanted to know whether it was in order for MMD Lunte MP, Felix Mutati to continue holding the position of Leader of the Opposition when the party did not meet the required 53 Parliamentary seats.
The position would remain vacant until Dr Matibini makes a decision as to who would take up the role.
At the time of recognising the MMD as the Official Opposition political party, the former ruling party had 54 seats, followed by the United Party for National Development (UPND) with 28, the Alliance for Democracy and Development (ADD) and the Forum for Democracy and Development (FDD) which had one each while three seats belonged to Independent MPs.
The figures have since changed following by-elections in Livingstone Central, Chama North, Muchinga and Mufumbwe Constituencies.
The current membership representation in the House stands at MMD (51), UPND (30), ADD and FDD, both still with one seat each while Independent representation has dropped to two seats.
Dr Matibini said Mr Mutati had since resigned his post and tendered his letter to the Speaker’s office in line with Article 137 on July 18, this year and accordingly the National Assembly withdrew all the benefits that were accorded to him, in his capacity as the Leader of the Opposition.
“Since that time, there has been no replacement of Hon Mutati, due to the uncertainty over the number of MMD MPs. The House may wish to note that the power to recognise an official opposition political party in the House is vested in the Speaker,” he said.
For an opposition political party to be recognised as the Official Opposition in Parliament, it should satisfy the requirements of it having a distinct ideology and programme of work whether in the political, economic or social field, which was announced by it at the time of general elections and on which it had been returned to the House.
It should also form a homogenous unit capable of developing into a well knit entity and should have an organisation, both inside and outside the House, which was in contact with public opinion on all national important issues.
The other being that, it should, at least be able to command a strength which would enable it to keep the House running, meaning that, its number should not be less than the quorum fixed to constitute a sitting of the House.
Meanwhile seven Bills yesterday passed First Reading as requested by Finance Minister Alexander Chikwanda when he presented the 2013 National Budget.
These were the Customs and Excise Amendment Bill, the Income Tax Amendment Bill, the Medical Levy Repeal Bill, the Mines and Minerals Development Amendment Bill.
Others were the Property Transfer Tax Amendment Bill, the Value Added Tax Amendment Bill and the Zambia Development Agency Amendment Bill which had been passed on to various Committees which would report back to the House by November 30, this year.
Its a carefully engineered parliamentary coup orchestrated by Sata to rid the country of checks and balances and to scare anyone opposed to him.Not good for democracy and its a return to a dangerous one party state.
guys guys…let us analyse issues and stop finger pointing..Sata does not vote:its the people’s choice to usher people into parliament..if the opposition don’t meet the requirements of the law then who are we to question it?
w.t.f, not this stupid Arab fag again?? Shut the fuc*k up! I think the Gov has a problem, there are too many illegal terrorists of your kind entering this country. Soon this place will be a deadly play ground for these jihadists! Caution should be exercised when issuing visas!!!! Each time I meet your type anywhere even at manda hill; I have to say my last prayers cause I don’t trust terrorists!
Enka Rasha might just be another word for Jihad, who knows! The sucker is so free, that he can even bark at the Government issuing visas!
vi uze!, you gat my vote dude!
The MMD did not see it coming like it has done.MMD should have sober up then fight the PF like JOHN CENA who pretend to have lost the battle only to spring up victorious at the end of the fight
@Enka Rasha; let us analyse issues and stop finger pointing..Sata does not vote:its the people’s choice to usher people into parliament..if the opposition don’t meet the requirements of the law then who are we to question it?
You’re too trusting cycle mata.This is a man who threatened no development if Mfumbwe voted opposition and didn’t allow internal democracy within PF so that nobody would oppose him.Think again.
what we are discussing here is the law and nothing to do with partisan politics..whoever was going to be in government today will do the same unless they don’t respect the law of the land…
People voted for the PF, so let it be so. Enka Rasha, I don’t really know why you can’t accept that fact? This is why useless arguments turn into wars!
when it suits them they follow the constitution. Just the other day we were informed that parliament has allocated money to an institution that is not recognised by the constitution and all gullible supporters were supporting blindly
Zambians tend to be myopic in analysing issues like this one. The speaker is right to withdraw the recognition of MMD as an official opposition in the house. The requirements well laid above are not being met by any of so called opposition. It is interesting even parties like NRP who have no mp, councillor claim to be an opposition party representing which interest? Of which no ne knows. Back to MMD, the behaviour of Kaingu, Dr Mumba leaves a lot to be desired and anyone knows that they have no agenda for Zambia. So we need a ral opposition party in Zambia and the position should be attained and not given for free in the name of democracy because this route has failed in the past.
@Chanda, I take your words as mine. thumbs up
Did you think Sata met the requirements of democracy when he didn’t allow internal democracy within PF?Did he meet the requirements of free and fair elections by threatening to withold development if Mfumbwe voted opposition? Lets not be selective to facts only when it fits our liking.
ba southern party, thats the best you can do coz you wont step into plot one unless you team up with us against demon posesed under 5 of yours
we are no more. but there is nothing to celebrate about it pantu fyabupuba
If rather than provide checks and balances, the role of opposition appears to be that of opposing everything for the sake of ite.g. tearing down president speech, promising to shoot down every bill generally make the country difficult to govern, then speaker is justified to revoke recognition of opposition.
And opposing allocation of monies to offices that do not exist-
PF WAS NOT AN OPPOSITION PARTY IN THE HOUSE OF MATIBINI
ITS OK WE WILL EAT ALOT FROM PF MPS
I IN PARTICULAR WILL BE RICH ,,MATERO MP IS DOING VERY FINE…HE GIVES ME ALOT INDEED…WITH OR WITHOUT OPPOSITION IN PARLIAMENT SOME OF US WILL BE VERY RICH TOGETHER WITH MY RELATIVES MORE THAN THE PEOPLE WHO VOETDED PF INTO GOVT.
I IN PARTICULAR WILL BE RICH ,,MATERO MP IS DOING VERY FINE…HE GIVES ME ALOT INDEED…WITH OR WITHOUT OPPOSITION IN PARLIAMENT SOME OF US WILL BE VERY RICH TOGETHER WITH MY RELATIVES MORE THAN THE PEOPLE WHO VOETED PF INTO GOVT.
The laid down procedures by the people is what Matibini is following.MMD and UPND,wake up chaps!! The opposition in Zed is there just to opposite even something that is good.Thats why i have not seen a serious opposition so far.I never trusted PF at one point but i was convinced that they can do something just by the confidence Sata had when he was in opposition.Nevers Mumba is not telling us wat he will do wen he gets back to power but telling us that he can jog and Sata cant jog and invites the president to go for a Jog from wat to wat??Mmmmm….guys!! Lets get serious…how do u expect me to vote for such a leader?Tell me wat u will do wen u get to power that others are not doing.
Enka Rasha #1, they are using the constitutional provisions that have been there long before PF formed Government. This has absolutely nothing to do with the President as far as I can see. Why do we want to create “Truth” apart from “Facts”??? It boggles my mind…
Check my response to #4 if you really care for about “facts” Don’t always fall for “innocent” provisions only when it suits some people especially the ones known to change tunes.
People these a flaw in Zambian politics and am surprised people don’t realize or have chosen to keep quiet. if a parliamentarian is elected to represent the electorates, be it in this example in opposition how then does he decide to join government the people he was meant to provide checks and balances without seeking approval from the electorates who put him there? Zambia is poor we can’t afford unnecessary by elections, MP’s who cause by elections because of jumping ship should not even be allowed to re-contest.
Mr Sata if you mean business through the introduction of progressive laws then i don’t see the need why you should spend sleepless nights and resources in the form of Government appointemnts just to poach and entice opposition power hungry MP’s just to boast your numbers and literally kill checks and balances. PF’s one year in power has been spent poaching MP’s at the expense of the citizens. i just wonder how many Zambian politicians will enter heaven?
What has happened to the retirement age? It has gone quiet. Is it 60yrs or 65yrs. I would support 60yrs. 55 too low again. At least rebasing is on. Road projects have started/continued. What else?
Ifunde lifunde bane. Why ague about a straight forward issue? If they do not meet the requirements they should not complain.
Zambia will develop with the help of Independent MPs, this is something we can try.
Ibrahimovic goal?
best ever? ba England does not deserve that
TODAY WE TALK SOCCER PLEASE! TAKE A BREAK
Thats the sata academy for you oposition. by the way, when is under5 going to waste ICJs time? when HEMCS called this chap under, this was what he meant, so he actualy knew what he was talking about. shame bo opominion
Thats the sata academy for you oposition. by the way, when is under5 going to waste ICJs time? when HEMCS called this chap under, this was what he meant, so he actualy knew what he was talking about. shame bo opominion.
HAMPUNDA BRAIN IS CRITICALLY SICKY,,,PLS VISIT THE BOY ,,HE NEEDS YOUR PRAYERS
MMD 51 and the UPND 30 members of parliament, and yet by some logical known only to the Zambian Watchdog and its bloggers, they carry headlines like, “HH, the leading opposition leader heads to Easter Province! In some cases they refer to him as the key opposition leader?? What is the criteria kanshi, bane ba ZWD????
NOOOO! BRIAN HAPUNDA IS ORGANIZING UPND DEFFECTIONS IN SOUTHERN PROVINCE TO PF. GO THERE AND DEFECT DONT WAIT. OTHERWISE TODAY WE TALK FOOTBALL.
WE ARE ACTUALLY LOOKING FOR MR HAPUNDA, PLEASE MR HAPUNDA CALL US ON 0974774870, TIME TO ACT IS NOW. UPND WILL SOO GRIND TO A HAUT.
HAMPUNDA BRAIN IS CRITICALLY SICKY,,,PLS VISIT THE BOY ,,HE NEEDS YOUR ..PRAYERS
Mr speaker are you saying that zanbia is now a one party state and parliament is now declaring all opposing parties null and void?
so its now prudent for your fellow kleptomanias to feast on the treasury like they did with the first lady budget approval which is more important than the 90 days promises you made? kwena the man really was gyrating for tax payers money
Number 14 (concernedcitizen) i think u are missing something. (1) Masumba did not cause the by elections but it’s the MMD and Nervous who did by expelling Masumba from the party making the Mufumbwe seat vacant. (2) After been expelled you wanted him to stop politics? No it was within his democratic right to join any party of his choice and to re contest the seat. (3) If Masumba never had the approval of the electorate then why did the same electorate vote for him? Being voted again by the same electorates of Mufumbwe who put him there in the first place plainly shows he had there approval.
Number 24 don’t follow the Zambian Watchdog and its bloggers, Watchdog is UPND vuvuzela and just want to confuse innocent people like U since they are bitter their under 5 party wont rule Zambia.
# 24 Sansamukeni says:
Thu Nov 15 at 12:33 pm, never mind HH and his luny bin the ZWD! They are there to massage his ergo at all cost. Watch how this HH will end up in 10 years time! LOL. So, Mumba is really kicking the MMD into oblivion with their eyes wide open? We advised every jim & jack that Mutati would have been a very good MMD president, but they were all still drunk with RBs’ madness! Mwanya!!!
“For an opposition political party to be recognised as the Official Opposition in Parliament, it should satisfy the requirements of it having a distinct ideology and programme of work whether in the political, economic or social field, which was announced by it at the time of general elections and on which it had been returned to the House. It should also form a homogenous unit capable of developing into a well knit entity and should have an organisation, both inside and outside the House, which was in contact with public opinion on all national important issues. The other being that, it should, at least be able to command a strength which would enable it to keep the House running, meaning that, its number should not be less than the quorum fixed to constitute a sitting of the House.”
con’t….so, that my friends disqualifies MMD, period. I hope Mumba and his croonies can see that, they (MMD) have zero future in politics as it stands. As for that under five one, he as well pack up and just disband his party. NAREP, if at all you have any foresight, this is the time for you to seriously engage the masses and hold your ground.
But all in all, MMD is finished guys! The only person who can “revive” MMD is Dora Siliya, hahahahahahaha. Think about it.
MMD is getting finished slowly like UNIP.
Here comes the beginning of PF parliamentary dictatorship.This fake rule should be abolished since it throws scrutiny of what govt does out of the window.
Mumba is an amateur, if MMD had a good experienced leader like Mutati he could have seen this coming. It is pathetic when opposition parties make a lot of noise at the same time taking themselves down by making selfish decisions which are not helping them. MMD should hold a proper convention and elect a proper party president. How do you elect a party president who has no position in the party hierarchy?
Umupombo r u crazy why you say MMD is finished when they still hold a lot
Of seats, people are smart now they can vote Sata in and not his all crew. Future
Depends on how well Sata does, if he does fine MMD will be gone , not just losing one
Seat and its easy to steal rural vote than urban that’s what MMD used to do stealing rural vote from sata
Masumba was imposed on Pipo of Mfumbwe, he lost the primary election. Using govt resources/money/guns/teargas and of course the intimidation the rejected Masumba won by defaut.
Very true
Thanks for the great article..