Government Declares PF MPs’ Expulsions Legally Void, Rules Out By-Elections After Bill 7 Vote
Government has dismissed the announced expulsions of Patriotic Front Members of Parliament who voted in favour of Constitution Amendment Bill No. 7, describing the move as legally ineffective and incapable of triggering by-elections.
Addressing the media, government stated that Members of Parliament acted fully within their constitutional mandate when they voted for Bill No. 7 and remain protected by the laws governing parliamentary conduct. It maintained that no political party decision can override constitutional provisions safeguarding legislators in the execution of their duties.
Government explained that Zambia operates under the rule of law and that all citizens, including Members of Parliament, are entitled to legal protection. It stressed that the vote on Bill No. 7 fell squarely within the privileges granted to MPs under Article 76 of the Constitution and under the Parliamentary Privileges and Immunities Act.
According to government, any announcement purporting to expel MPs solely on the basis of how they voted in Parliament stands in direct conflict with the law. The Parliamentary Privileges and Immunities Act provides members with immunity for actions undertaken within the House and its precincts, meaning such conduct cannot lawfully attract sanctions from outside entities.
Government stated that the purported expulsions carry no legal consequence and should be regarded as political manoeuvring rather than enforceable action. It said the announcements amounted to an attempted interference with parliamentary work and were incapable of altering the legal status of the affected MPs.
It was further explained that although political parties are governed by their own constitutions, party rules cannot extinguish rights granted by the national Constitution. Any provision, whether in party constitutions or even in Acts of Parliament, that contradicts the Constitution of Zambia cannot be sustained in law.
Government clarified that political parties are legally regarded as private associations and that their internal rules cannot supersede constitutional guarantees afforded to elected representatives. As a result, MPs who voted for Bill No. 7 remain in office until Parliament adjourns and cannot be removed on the basis of party decisions that conflict with constitutional protections.
Government also assured constituents in affected constituencies that their MPs continue to serve in Parliament and that no by-elections will arise as a result of the announced expulsions. It stated that any attempt to rely on party constitutional provisions to remove sitting MPs for performing parliamentary duties would fail if tested in court.
Addressing MPs directly, government said those affected by the announcements stood on firm legal ground and had no reason to fear loss of office. It reiterated that no court in Zambia would sustain a legal action aimed at punishing MPs for votes cast in Parliament.
Government emphasised that the question of party affiliation and candidature would only arise closer to the 2026 general elections, when MPs decide which political platforms to contest their seats under. It stated that no MP would be coerced, intimidated, or threatened regarding future political choices, and that ultimate judgment rests with voters at the ballot box.
Turning to public reaction, government said citizens were now better placed to assess the positions and conduct of political actors. It encouraged voters to observe the actions and statements of leaders over time in order to make informed electoral choices.
Government also addressed the pastoral letter issued by the Zambia Conference of Catholic Bishops, noting that it had taken note of the message released on the same day the President assented to Bill No. 7 into law. It acknowledged the historical role of the Catholic Church in national development, democratic engagement, peace-building, and moral guidance.
Government stated that it respected the bishops’ right to offer counsel on national issues and welcomed constructive engagement grounded in mutual respect, national interest, and shared values. It reaffirmed its commitment to dialogue and partnership with the church and other stakeholders in addressing social and economic challenges.
Reiterating its governance approach, government said it remained committed to constitutionalism, human rights, the rule of law, and freedom of expression, including the freedom of religious institutions to speak on public matters without fear.
On agriculture, government thanked farmers for their efforts and expressed optimism over the current farming season, citing favourable rainfall patterns and expanded cultivation across the country. It projected a stronger harvest than the previous year if conditions persist.
Government also addressed concerns over delayed payments to farmers, explaining that challenges had largely arisen from administrative processes within banking systems rather than failure to release funds. It said the issue had been raised at Cabinet level, with steps underway to streamline payment mechanisms.
It noted that the Food Security Pack Programme disbursements had proceeded on schedule, while the Food Reserve Agency had faced delays due to higher-than-anticipated maize deliveries driven by competitive pricing. Government said additional maize purchases were undertaken to protect farmers from exploitation by private traders.
Government further indicated that improved storage capacity and regional export opportunities, including routes into the Democratic Republic of Congo, would strengthen future marketing arrangements and payment timelines.
The government disclosed that the President had directed all Members of Parliament, during the recess, to sensitise citizens on the content and effects of Bill No. 7 and to participate actively in farming activities to promote food security.
COUNSEL THE BUFFOONS. ALL THEY KNOW IS TO ACT FROM THE PUSH OF HATRED, ANGER, JEALOUS AND PERSONAL EGOS. NO WONDER THEY ARE AS DISORGANIZED LIKE PARTICLES URANIUM IN HUMID ARTMOSPHERE. THE OTHER DAY MOST MEMBERS VIEWED TO SUPPORT SOME CANDIDATES WERE DROPPED. THE OTHER DAY SOME BUFFOON ANNOUNCED TO BLOCK ALL THE OTHER CANDIDATES FROM STANDING. BUFFOONERY INDEXED WITH PROSTATE CANCEROUS MOTIVES AT PLAY. WHY BLOCK/ATTEMPT To BLOCK CREDIBLE people like Hon CHITALU CHILUFYA? That’s buffoonery act of highest degree.
Excellent, the point on the dot.
Zambia is a smart tribal country, be positive and support current tribal leader. Now:
Whada fck are you talking about iwe Paul? If you need global attention, use language which Trump understands. Nobody understands “buffoon “.
You are the sh!t lawyers turning smart countries into “garbage”.
Their leader, the chap did not even recognise ECL as a President. He always wants his way. Strange that everybody in parliament should vote for the bill, until some the ngulu for caderism came out and they started dancing in parliament
@Dizzy ECL tried to include UPND members in his government. HH expelled them without hesitation. Now the shoe is on the other foot vuvuzela Mweetwa cries foul! What a circus!
I always say we should find a way of getting rid of all Politicians…they bring Politics in everything and they hinder development….Politics 24/7…..nonsense….UPND is useless….PF is useless…Tonse Alliance is useless..they’re all useless Pompwes
So are the current lot useless apart from that to many self proclaimed experts yey non showing any signs of logic and commonsense
How true! I wish we could rule ourselves without politrickcians like Mweetwa, Gary Nkombo, Hakainde, Kambwili, etc
Government declares??? That only happens when the party and it’s government are one and the same thing. They aren’t. Because we are no longer a one party state.
So are these nameless expelled MPs accepting their orders for resignation or not? I think Given’s “to do” list looks something like this:
– spanner PF completely beyond recognition
– rejoin UPND
– have a beer and enjoy, job done
Mweetwa,
parliament is not owned by government! Even my mother at Soweto market knows so!
Here we go………..
Another circus of politicking…….
What time do you chaps have to develop Zambia ?……..
All you seem todo is argue and sue each other…….
Then blame foreigners who are making money while you bicker
FWD2041
Well Spaka there is only one thorn in the flesh which you fail to recognise
this bickering will continue
If things are going so well as you keep saying WHY is the country so devided as never seen before
The last i know he was a UPND spokesman, when did he become one for the PF. As if his leader would allow his party members to vote anything PF when was in opposition. Hypocrites. Sort out ma problems ya chalo please
And when his leader was in opposition, he did not even recognise the President then, that is how crude these chaps have been. And how come none of the UPND MPs had a dissenting voice from their party on bill 7 when voting. So that they want even PF MPs to be towing their line
Why is the UPND turning into a low-level party? They have failed to deliver the many promises they made to the people……so the easiest target is the constitution and causing chaos in the PF. HH is a big letdown.
How tulu!
Turning into? They have always been a low level party otherwise known as under 5. Ba Mweetwa in a democracy government is led by the president. The judiciary by the chief Justice and the legislature by the speaker. It is in a one partystate that all these wings are led by HH
On this one you are offside
Loadsheding and the high cost of living should be their focus, these UPND chaps. Ali nu focusing on PF which they have to destroy at all costs due to fear. KK, Mwanawasa and Sata all warned us about this man, it is just our fault that we did not listen
PF is doing fine destroying itself, no need for government to get involved…
We have clowns in Government…in what capacity is UPND issuing such statements….and when they call our country shiiithole we complain…this is exactly shiiithole Government
Shi***e the most important part of the body. Without it we would keep all the rubbish inside. For 80 years! There are 8 billion of us on the planet. Include the animals! Tell Donald Trump to apologise and respect the sh**le
Gotta love the self destruction within PF after they destroyed Zambia for ten yrs . What goes around comes around .