Acting Republican President Edgar Lungu says by-elections are inevitable because they are provided for in the current constitution.
In a statement made available to ZANIS in Lusaka today, Mr Lungu said the current constitution provides that whenever there are expulsions, resignations, and deaths by Members of Parliament by-elections should be held.
“Section 67 of the current constitution provides that when a vacancy occurs in the seat of the National Assembly as a result of the death, expulsion or resignation by a Member of Parliament, a by-election shall be held within ninety days,” Mr Lungu explained .
The Acting President has since implored all Zambians and stakeholders involved in the constitution making process to excel by coming up with a constitution that will stand the test of time and not become a drain on national resources.
And Mr Lungu who is also Home Affairs Minister has refuted claims by opposition parties that by-elections are being induced by the Patriotic Front –PF government.
Mr Lungu condemned political parties blaming the PF government for the by-elections saying they should instead have themselves to blame and that they should put their parties in order.
He reiterated that speculations suggesting that the PF government is to blame for hosting by-elections in the country are not only misleading but also unfair because MPs are being compelled to resign from their parties due to intimidation and bullying within their parties.
The Acting President made the comment following the expulsion of Sinazongwe UPND Member of Parliament Richwell Siamunene from his political party.
Meanwhile, the Acting President has welcomed the move by Mopani Copper Mines –MCM to create about 3,000 jobs saying this is in line with the PF Manifesto.
Mr Lungu called on the labour movement and all stakeholders to collaborate with investors to ensure that Zambian was not the first casualty whenever investors faced challenges as a way of reducing their costs of production.
ZANIS
innevitable when major opposition’s agenda is only about derailing even the most useful of ideas.
But, which major projects by the Police Force [PF] have the opposition parties derailed since 2011? Are we not striving to realise separation of powers among the three arms of Government, namely the Executive, Judicature, and Legislature?
We raelly need a government of the People, rather than a government of the party, such as the PF government!
aLungu, If a party tells u to consult them before making ministerial appointments, the least u can do is inform them before-hand. On the other end, the main motivations for these selfish MP’s is ur party policy that automatically adopts these MP’s once they resign or are expelled from their parties. Secondly, u claim to be a government of the ppl, but u continually say u will not develop parts of the country that do not giv u an MP. If they (opp. MP’s) knew someone else would take their job, they wouldn’t quit, even for the sake of the so-called service delivery
Js saying You have put across a very valid point. A party for the people works for the people not for the party
dull chap……………..no wonder we suspended you as LAZ. there are no sections in the constitution,just Articles and sub articles!!!!
Yes the opposition only have themselves to blame.It is not PF expelling them, but the opposition itself .All Pf is doing is to try to be as inclusive as possible inspite of the individual mp`s party affiliations.
What themselves to blame MPs are being lured and when they are lured they shift their allegiance from the party that sponsored them to parliament to the their masters. Why should you keep such a person? when he goes to his constituency he goes to promote the ruling party and encouraging members to rally behind the ruling party.
There he goes again, i thot he had sobered up. He start speaking sence i even said he was the voice of reason especially homos. Old habits.
Chika****nda
The OP in Zambia has been lowered any one can act as President one day we will read that Post editors are acting President
I agree with the President. The opposition should ensure its members dont get easily enticed. Also the opposition need not expel members just because they have been offered a job by the ruling party. President Lungu should also advise his PF colleagues to stop the recruitment of more opposition MPs I thought by now you guys have your required majority in parly?
The opposition, UPND in particular is pathetic. Stone age politics bane tu leke.
Zambia is for all Zambians. Lets assume that if in our wildest dreams UPND had to form government, are they saying that theres will not be an inclusive one?
Going by the statistics, it would only be fair that if at all (in our wildest dreams) they formed govt, they should be seen to be inclusive by appointing MPs from the oppostion. This just proves that they are a dead tribalistic party with no future beyond HH’s nose
Viva PF! Viva Zambia!!!
The greatest mistake we ever made was not to follow God’s teaching fully. Work hard GOD said, love one another. Also let justice follow wrong doers.
When Sata appoints one who is not Tonga it is nepotism . When he appoints a Tonga ,he wants to destroy their ng’ombestun party.What kind of creatures are these?Even those of u that agree with them ‘mulifipumbu’.Are dese de kind of politics u want?