LAZ called upon to ascertain the status of MPs Sampa and Lungu

Alliance for Good Governance (AGG) has appealed to the Law Association of Zambia (LAZ) to interpret Article 65 in the current constitution with regards the status of the two PF Members of Parliament vying for the Republican Presidency.

Speaking during a press briefing in Lusaka today, Alliance Spokesperson MacDonald Chipenzi says the article in question states that a person who holds, or is validly nominated candidate in an election for, the office of president shall not be qualified for election as a member of national assembly.

Mr. Chipenzi says it is for this reason that LAZ should help to interpret the law to ascertain whether or not Chawama MP Edgar Lungu and Matero MP Miles Sampa should remain in their elective constituency based seats as parliamentarians or relinquish them should one of them be validly nominated by the party.

Mr. Chipenzi wonders whether this entails a looming parliamentary by-election in either Chawama or Matero constituency.

Meanwhile the alliance has also appealed to the next government to ensure that they review the Public Order Act and Penal Code laws so that they are in line with the democratic tenets.

Mr. Chipenzi says the alliance also expects the new administration to do away with the NGO Act No 16 of 2009 which has brought great anguish in the civil society.

He adds that the Access to Information Law should immediately be enacted into law to strengthen anti-corruption crusade and ensure a transparent and accountable governance system in Zambia.

He adds that AGG expects the new government to reverse the statutory instrument that gave birth to the change of retirement age from 55 to 65 years especially taking into account the life expectancy in Zambia and high unemployment levels among the young people.

Mr Chipenzi adds that next government should also lift the unilaterally imposed wage and employment freeze.

 

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